Spring 2024 Newsletter
The weather may have been marching like a lion on March 31, but the Lamb of God filled the ballroom at Capital City Club with joy and excitement as we awarded grants to the 2024 Grant Recipients! The 2024 OHS Awards Luncheon was attended by 120 people, 27 of whom were potential new Partners. The 2023 Grant Recipients—Family Heritage Foundation, Julie’s Dream and Orchard Resources—warmed our hearts with stories of how last year’s grants propelled them forward in reaching many with the Good News of the gospel.
We learned about a group of women in Nashville who are working with our Expansion Chairs to begin a One Hundred Shares Nashville giving group! God continues to exceed our wildest imaginations!
If you know someone in the Nashville area who would be interested in becoming a Partner, send their contact information to anne@anneirwincompany.com.
May this spring season reflect God’s love in your life!
Jane Ridall
OHS Communications Chair
The OHS Atlanta Awards Luncheon is a time we set aside to come together and celebrate our great God and all He is doing in our city. The Grant Recipients who shared with us are digging deep into the soul of the city, offering renewed life in the hearts of those to whom they serve.
In October 2023, we received 32 grant applications. After countless hours sifting through the data, time reflecting on Site Visit evaluations, and much prayer, the OHS Board selected three 2024 Grant Recipients: Hope Heals, Fayetteville Pregnancy Resource Center, and Promise686.
To date, OHS Partners have given over $3,000,000! Your faithful annual gift allows us to collectively make a significant impact on the ministries serving our city. To God be the Glory!
As in any large city, Atlanta's needs are complex and vast. We dream about how impactful we could be with 300 Partners! Just imagine how Christ’s love could change our city, our state, and our country!
I want to personally challenge you to invite one woman to join you as an OHS Atlanta Partner this year. My prayer is as we expand the boundaries of One Hundred Shares, we do abundantly more for the Kingdom of God.
Gratefully,
Anne Irwin
OHS Atlanta 2023-2024 Chair
We have a heartwarming and encouraging story to share about the intersection of two of our Grant Recipients.
Idong and Bennett Ekandem, founders of 2023 Grant Recipient Family Heritage Foundation, were surprised and delighted to reconnect with Promise686, 2024 Grant Recipients. Thirteen years ago, the Ekandems were on the receiving end of the love, care, and support Promise686 offers to hundreds of families. Their story demonstrates the need for the vital services Promise686 offers and the beautiful fulfillment of Psalm 68:6, “God sets the lonely in families…” Read on for inspiration and to see the personal impact of your generosity!
In 2010, we (Idong and Bennett Ekandem) met three brothers at the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services office ages 3 years, 21 months, and 6 months of age. It was love at first sight, and we immediately knew adoption was in our future.
After 12 months as foster parents, we were given the green light to adopt, which came with its own set of challenges: funding and the legal process. We could not afford the adoption fees and navigating the legal process was complex and daunting.
As first-time parents, we were nervous about the entire adoption process. Our adoption agency referred us to Promise686 for support and potential financial assistance. Our first meeting with Christina Bennett was a breath of fresh air. She assured us Promise686 would equip us with resources and help us understand and navigate each step of the adoption process. She said, “We will do the heavy lifting so that you can give your boys all the love and attention they need.” And Promise686 kept that promise!
We qualified for an adoption grant from Promise686, and the next thing we knew, our family was standing in front of a judge making a promise to love and raise our three sons for life. Our adoption was finalized in 2011, and we legally became a forever family!!
Promise686 not only helped us with the financial aid, but they served our family by walking with us through the entire process. They even stayed in contact with us after the adoption was finalized and checked in to see how we were doing post adoption. We thank God frequently for Promise686. If not for their assistance, adoption may not have been possible for our family. We can't imagine life without any one of our boys. Thirteen years later, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Caleb are thriving, and with God's help, serving others with loving care. The refugee children we serve through Family Heritage Foundation look up to them as positive role models. We are grateful and blessed!
