ABOUT US

We want to be the love of Christ to Uganda’s orphaned and vulnerable children, equipping them to become authentic Godly leaders that transform generations.

Have you ever felt a nudge from God to take a step in faith?
In 2007, our founders, Craig and Amy Bay and Drew Files, responded to God’s stirring and joined a church planting trip in western Uganda. When they arrived in a tropical, rural village, they quickly saw the needs of God’s orphaned and vulnerable children.

Responding to God’s prompting, Bless the Children Ministries was created in 2008, dedicated to caring for orphaned and vulnerable children through discipleship, education, and holistic care.

Today, Bless the Children Ministries brings the body of Christ together to respond to that same call: to see a generation of children come alive with hope for a better future. We invite you to join God’s story in Uganda.

Leadership

We’re a passionate team of Christ-followers compelled by the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.  We’re “all in” when it comes to loving God, loving our neighbors, and building up others to transform the world for Christ.

Hedwig Mbaziira Birungi
Executive Director – Uganda
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The Mother Teresa of Uganda, Hedwig, is equal parts gentleness and strength. As a widow, she knows first hand the difficulties of raising children on her own, yet the grace and provision God gives. For 12 years, she worked for the Uganda Women’s Effort for Orphans and during that time, joined an orphan committee at the church where BTCM first started. Hedwig has worn every hat from our humble beginnings to where we are today: from bringing children into her own home, leading construction, and transitioning our ministry to a new property. Hedwig is now BTCM’s Executive Director for Uganda and oversees all the day-to-day operations.

Taylor Cochran
Executive Director – USA
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Taylor found a passion for discipleship, community development, and global missions while doing microfinancing in Honduras. As the U.S. Executive Director of BTCM, he uses his years of experience to oversee operations and act as a liaison with the board of directors. His role also includes team discipleship and visiting Mabaale to strategize and continue building vision with the Ugandan team. He’s loved by the kids and staff for his background in music allowing him to keep up with the frequent singing and dancing that happens on campus. Taylor lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Kelley where they believe that if you want to change the world, it starts in the home. He uses this strategy to lead BTCM to stay child-focused through family development.

Nyakahuma Allan Apuuli
Assistant Director – Uganda
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Part of the BTCM family since 2010, Allan served as a volunteer for five years before he came on staff as Assistant Director. He is the one to always lighten the mood of a staff meeting with his quick-witted humor. Allan endlessly testifies, “Everyone that has come onboard, including the kids, has been a miracle.” His perspective is always through the lens of us having a good Father, and giving God glory. Allan has a heart for discipleship and is responsible for overseeing BTCM’s construction, groundskeeping team, and supporting US mission teams. If he’s not working, he’s chasing down a soccer ball, eating Ugandan pancakes by the bucket full or exploring on a long road trip.
Marsha Baker-McCoy
Director of Child Engagement & Administration
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Marsha is the unofficial adopted daughter/sister of our BTCM staff and has been the bridge between our US staff and the happenings of BTCM in Uganda since the beginning. Marsha has lived lengths of time in UG over the years, helping ensure our children and staff receive all support and resources from the U.S. that they need to thrive. Marsha has recently transitioned from being the head of our sponsorship department to working directly with our Ugandan team to focus on mobilization and strategy for our BTCM campus and being an advocate and voice for the needs that our children have, representing them here in the U.S.

Christine Asaba
Acting Warden
(Head Social Worker)
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Christine grew up in the BTCM program, so she knows first hand what it is like to be a vulnerable child in Uganda. A desire to advocate for other children grew in her heart as God transformed her life through the program. She studied Social Work at Makerere University and has been on the BTCM team for 4 years. She is currently acting as Head of our Social Work team. She is passionate about family restoration, seeing our children grow in maturity, and helping them learn to follow Jesus.

Steve Griffith
Director of People & Strategy
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Steve came to BTCM after a 30+ year career in full-time ministry, business and consulting.  In 2015, God began to work in Steve’s heart to become more involved with kids, poverty, and Africa.  So, after a decade at Walmart, he decided to step out and see what that adventure looked like.  Steve now serves as Director of People and Strategy, He gives leadership to our strategic planning, leadership development and people-related initiatives.  He is passionate about listening to and loving our staff and emerging leaders.  He loves Jesus, his wife of 30+ years, Denise, and his son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Laine.  Steve will do almost anything for a good story and will tell you about being bluff-charged by a grizzly, having a flat tire just feet from a lion, and most recently, white water rafting on the Nile river with his BTCM teammates.

Francis Ntege
Head Accountant
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Francis left a comfortable life in the big city to come and serve our children. As a Certified Public Accountant and experience as an audit assistant for several organizations, he makes sure donations are prioritized for the needs our children have, used correctly, and accounted for each and every day. Francis is not only extremely gifted in keeping accounts for BTCM’s ministry caring for 300 children, but he passionate about mentoring orphaned and vulnerable children. Francis makes spending quality time with several of our young boys loving, teaching bible studies, and training them about Jesus, a top priority in the things he carries out for BTCM.
Mariam Ssesanga
Head Teacher, Canaan Primary
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Mariam is a strong, tenacious woman who finds creative ways to do things when there seems to be no way. She joined our team when we were “homeschooling” our children on the old campus – something you typically never done in Uganda. Mariam isn’t scared of forging her own path and it has led to her starting the BTCM Canaan Primary School, high-quality Christian education for our children. She trusts Jesus each and every day as we challenge her to do even greater things in the education program for our children, following the vision and plan God is revealing. Mariam leads with compassion, determination and sets an incredible example for our young girls to follow after!
Tiffany Edison
Administrative Coordinator
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Tiffany has been part of our ministry for many years, having been to Uganda multiple times with BTCM. She and her husband Isaiah live in Tulsa, OK and have two children: a daughter Savannah, whom she adopted from BTCM years ago, and their son Noah. Tiffany has years of experience in international missions and studied Ministry Leadership at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Her background, deep love for drawing people to the heart of God, and passion for the mission and vision for our ministry make her a perfect fit for this role! She handles the administration for BTCM.

Rose Busobozi
Child Care Officer
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As the Child Care Officer, Rose’s job is to be sure the best interest of the children is priority and that all children are receiving excellent holistic care. She ensures there is a Godly family atmosphere in our transitional homes and manages our team of house moms and is the lead in their discipleship.

US Board of Directors

Amy Bay
Secretary, Founder
Drew Files
Founder
Greg Wright
President
Kristi Kline
Vice President
James Redman
Treasurer
John Hamilton
Board Member
Hannah Lapo
Board Member
Hayden Davis
Board Member

Stewardship

We work hard to see that our work and funds are used effectively in supporting each child as they receive their basic needs, come to know and follow Jesus Christ, discover their gifts and calling, and be equipped to grow into authentic godly leaders in their communities. Please refer to our Annual Impact Report to learn more.

Financial Responsibility

We work to ensure funds are being properly received, managed and distributed for the benefit of the children under BTCM’s care.

Nonprofit/ NGO Status

Bless the Children Ministries US is a registered 501(c)3 that is partnered with a Ugandan NGO also called Bless the Children Ministries. We are one of the few licensed orphan homes in Uganda, a title received by organizations that pass strict governmental requirements for high standards of care for each child.

Financial Responsibility

For every sponsorship dollar, 90% goes directly to Uganda to care for each child. The remaining 10% covers unsponsored children, staff and administrative expenses required to support our holistic program.

Our Values

Authentic

We know ourselves and let ourselves be known.

Servant – Hearted

We consider others more significant than ourselves.

Christ Like

We are becoming more like Jesus
and helping others become more like
him too.

Passionate

We are “all in”  when it comes to advancing our mission.

Compassionate

We are filled with love for those around us.

Our Statement of Faith

About God
We believe in the unity and trinity of the Godhead.
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”Learn
God is the creator and ruler of the universe and is sovereign in all things. Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, the sole Mediator.
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We further believe in His preexistence, His incarnation, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the grave, His personal, visible return from heaven.  Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
About the Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, His full written revelation, and our only rule of faith and practice.
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”Learn
Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.  2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105-160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.
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He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living and ministry, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.  2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; I Corinthians 12:4-13
About the Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, His full written revelation, and our only rule of faith and practice.
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”Learn

Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.  2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105-160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About People
People are created in the image of God.
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”Learn
All have sinned in Adam; they are now sinners by nature and by choice.  Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
About Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from human merit, works or ceremonies.
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”Learn
Those who are in Christ are kept by God’s power and persevere within that power. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.  Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About the Church
The Church is the spiritual Body of Christ.
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”Learn

He is the Head and His body is twofold in nature: universal and local. The ordinances of the local church are two in number: baptism-the immersion of the believer in water following salvation; and the Lord’s Supper-a memorial of the atoning death of Christ until He comes.  John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

Download the
2023 Annual Report

PHONE

(918) 200-9679

ADDRESS

Lockbox Department 240
PO Box 701683
Tulsa, OK 74170

EMAIL

info@btcm.org

ABOUT US

Bless the Children Ministries works to be the love of Christ to Uganda's orphaned and vulnerable children, equipping them to become authentic, Godly leaders that transform generations.

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