Every Child Ministries (ECM, also known as ECMAfrica) was founded in 1985 by John and Lorella Rouster following a three-year missionary assignment in what was then Zaire. John had an agricultural background and later earned a Biblical studies certificate from
Moody Bible Institute. Lorella was a teacher, Christian educator, and journalist, and an alumna of
Moody Bible Institute,
Tri-State University(B.A.), and Covington Theological Seminary (M.R.E.) The Rousters served approximately nine years in Zaire—just over three years prior to founding ECM (1981–spring 1984), and six years with ECM (1990–1996). During this time Lorella wrote numerous books in the African
Kituba language, translated songs, Gospel and health booklets, which were published by ECM. She also developed an extensive training manual for teachers of children. This book was later published in seven languages spoken in Africa:
Kituba,
Lingala,
Tshiluba, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese. From 1985 to 1998, Every Child Ministries served only in DR Congo and was mainly limited to Christian education, training of teachers, development of literature, and health services. In 1985 ECM was featured in the "Mission Explorers Video Series" with Carey Kinsolving. These ministries have continued and expanded under national leadership. In 1990 ECM established Mission Garizim in Congo and opened its African Leadership Training Center in 2001, training "teachers of teachers" for Congo and other French-speaking African countries. In 1997 the Rousters returned from Congo. Floyd Bertsch had served as International Director while the Rousters were in Congo, but upon their return they again took the position of International Director, sharing the duties as co-directors. In 1999 an evaluatory trip was made to Ghana. As a result, several initiatives were established there including the Initiative against shrine slavery
ritual servitude and the Initiative for Street children. Since 1999 three tendencies have been noticeable: 1. Expansion into other African countries, and 2. A growing tendency to focus on the needs of what the organization deems as the most marginalized and neglected children, 3. A growing emphasis on
Child sponsorship. In 2001 ECM initiated a program called "Character Building from the Bible" in some of the public schools of Ghana, which continued for several years. In November 2002 Haven of Hope children's home was founded. About 30 children currently find a safe haven there. Many were homeless street children, some are orphans, abandoned children, former shrine slaves and children of former slaves. The home now includes a school, Haven of Hope Academy, offering Nursery through Class 6. In January 2003 Every Child Ministries held its first liberation of shrine slaves known as
trokosi, cooperating with International Needs Ghana. ECM was very active in advocating for the abolition of the practice and the liberation of existing slaves. In 2007 they released a DVD for their anti-slavery project called "Stomp Out Slavery" to help raise public awareness. In January 2008, ECM issued a "Prayer Guide against Modern Slavery" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the
Emancipation Proclamation. Ministry for ECM in this area has concluded and focus has shifted to evangelism to/discipleship of the liberated women and their children. In 2003 ECM expanded its ministry to street children to include DR Congo, ministering to children living on Kinshasa's streets with meals twice a week, vocational training, literacy classes, sports teams, gardening and Bible classes. The same year they introduced an in-depth method of teaching the Bible. Called "Step by Step, Slowly", the approach teaches Bible passages phrase by phrase involving a four-step process—Read, Question, Act it out, Sing and Dance. In 2006 ECM made investigatory trips into Togo, Benin, Uganda, and New Sudan, and conducted training for children's teachers in Uganda and New Sudan. and by the establishment of a main base of operations with numerous projects in Uganda in 2007–2008. Initial projects in Uganda included summer day camps and holiday parties for children in IDP camps, an initiative to help children with albinism and improve public acceptance of them, and the missionary project "The Way Home" targeting AIDS orphans. "The Way Home" project began in 2010 with assistance to "grannies" raising several grandchildren who were orphaned due to AIDS. Many projects have since been started around the country, including Tororo, Napak, Lwengo, and various sections of Kampala, most focused on child sponsorship. On January 1, 2015, Mark Luckey was named as International Executive Director, succeeding the Rousters, who continued serving in positions as missionary consultants, project advisors, and communications specialists. John retired from missionary service on October 1, 2016, though he continues to volunteer at the ECM home office. Lorella remains active, writing and producing Sunday School materials in DR Congo languages, which are delivered to DR Congo annually by either Mark Luckey or Lorella Rouster. ==Missiology==