Children Matter
Why are missions important?
Velocity was launched in 2009 as a "church plant”, a brand new church in the South Euclid - Lyndhurst community, with a goal of helping anyone understand the truth of God’s love. From its inception, Velocity has embodied Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to “Go and make disciples…” As we read about Jesus’ ministry, we see him making an impact in every village, town, and city he visited. He felt compassion for those hurting and broken, both physically and spiritually. We also see Jesus saying things about children that he said about no other group of people.
That’s why at Velocity, we’ve made one of our core values “Children Matter”. We believe every child has the right to live in a safe place, eat nourishing food, receive an education, and hear the truth of how much God loves them. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with a non-profit organization called Remember Nhu that does those exact things. Remember Nhu specializes in going into some of the most hurting villages around the world to rescue children who are at risk of being sold into sex trafficking. Velocity partners with them by sponsoring children and ensuring they do not fall victim to those who would do them harm.
What have we already done?
Velocity has always prioritized missions in various ways, both locally and internationally. As a long-term partner with Remember Nhu, we have sponsored hundreds of children to ensure their basic needs, education, and spiritual development. In 2018, a team traveled to Uganda to visit many of those sponsor children who lived together in a group home. The team performed basic health and dental check-ups, ran a vacation Bible school, and played with the children while encouraging the house parents.
While at the Remember Nhu home, Scott learned of someone else in need. A couple named Leonard and Winnie had taken in 37 little girls who were all orphaned or at risk of being trafficked. Together, they lived in a small one room hut. Shortly after bringing in these children, Leonard lost his job as a fisherman due to a change in government regulations and had no way of feeding or caring for the girls. Not content with standing by, Scott immediately got to work. When the mission team returned home and told Velocity about the situation, others got to work, too. That Sunday, Velocity attendees signed up to sponsor one of those 37 girls, and within a few weeks, every child had a sponsorship. Remember Nhu brought Leonard and Winnie under their umbrella, rented them a larger home, and ensured the children were receiving regular meals and an education.
After a few years of sponsoring this group, Velocity decided it wasn’t enough. So in September 2023, the church launched the “Wreck the Roof” campaign with a goal of raising $380,000 over the course of 2 years. This money would be used to build two dormitory-style homes on 6-acres to house the girls. An eight foot security wall would be built around the perimeter, and the girls could use the additional land to grow crops and trees, and raise chickens, goats, and fish. This type of compound would provide extra security for the girls, but would also develop skills that would help them thrive later in life. Through an out-pouring of generosity, the financial goal was met in just over a year, and the girls are expected to move-in in May 2025.
Where are we going?
Velocity currently has two mission trips planned. The Thailand group will be traveling in April 2026. Thailand is one of the first countries Remember Nhu began working in, and the organization still has a strong presence in the country today. A second group will be traveling to Uganda in May 2026. Velocity will be visiting the newly built homes to see how the children are settling in. It will be exciting to see how they’ve grown and changed since Scott first saw them in the one-room hut.
While the groups are going to very different countries, the trips will function similarly. Those with medical and dental backgrounds will perform check-ups, while others will run a Vacation Bible School type program. We may also help with any repairs that might need done around the homes. The main goal of the trip is to show these children and house parents how much they are loved and valued, both by us and their Heavenly Father.
How can you help?
There are a couple ways you can help make these trips successful.
1) Become a prayer partner. This is so important for our church and our mission trips! We know that the more people we have praying for us, the more effective we will be in reaching people for Christ. Your prayers can help strengthen and protect those going on the mission trips. We know that anything could happen while visiting Uganda and Thailand, and that’s where our prayer partners come in. They intercede for those traveling, asking for safe travels, health and safety while in country, and an opportunity to share the love, kindness, and truth of Jesus to the children and house parents.
2) Become a financial partner. The cost per person to go on a mission trip is $2,600, which covers the flight, lodging, and food. We know that times are tough, inflation is still high, and uncertainty looms. We simply ask you to consider God’s vision for the children in Uganda and Thailand, consider the work Velocity has already done to elevate the status of these children, and support our next step. Any financial support, large or small, would be a huge blessing to those working to fundraise their trip expenses. You’re also able to set up a recurring gift to make a smaller, more manageable monthly donation. If you feel called to join us in support of one of these trips, there are 2 ways to give:
Mail a check to our office:
Velocity Church
PO Box 21089
South Euclid, OH 44121
In the memo line, write the name of the person you want to sponsor with your donation.
Online Giving:
You can make a one time donation, or set up a recurring gift by clicking on this link: Click here to donate
Select either the "Thailand Mission Trip 2026" or "Uganda Mission Trip 2026". If you'd like your donation allocated to a specific person, please email info@velocitycleveland.org with your name, donation amount, and the name of the person you'd like to sponsor.
Velocity Church is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for your support and generosity as we partner together to share the truth of God's love all over the world!