EVALUATION PAPER: INTRODUCING AN ORPHAN AND WIDOW MINISTRY IN MY

LOCAL CHURCH

A Paper

Submitted to

Dr. Peter Thiumai

The President of Baptist Theological Seminary

Nahorjan Block-II, Kania Tokbi, Karbi Anglong, Assam, India

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Course: Current Studies in Pastoral and Church Administration

By

Limikhum Rudy Thongru ([Link]. II Year)

On

20th AUGUST 2026

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 1. General Introduction
A. God calls the church to care for orphans and widows.
God commands us to care for orphans and widows. When He gave the Law to Moses and
the Israelites, He gave instructions for how to treat the orphans and widows among them with
harsh consequences promised if they failed in their responsibility (Exodus 22:22–23). In the New
Testament, James says that taking care of the needs of orphans and widows is part of religion
“pure and faultless” (James 1:27). Caring for those in distress is not optional for followers of
Christ.1

B. Although my local church is not currently involved in this ministry.

Although my church is doing a specific work for orphans/widows, but I think it’s a
possibility for the church to develop there. As Christians, we are called to demonstrate God’s love
through our actions of care and service. The church can be a better witness to the community by
reaching out to orphans and widows with care, encouragement and support, as this is what God
expects us to do.

2. Biblical Foundation
A. True religion includes caring for orphans and widows.
James is confirming that the externals of religious activities are not acceptable to God
unless accompanied by a holy life and loving service. Rites and rituals have never been an
adequate substitute for service and sacrifice. Corporate worship within the church cannot take the
place of individual works outside the church. Private profession must be coupled with the public
expression of one’s faith. To visit comes from the Greek word usually translated bishop, a person
who oversees God’s people (1 Tim. 3:1). Orphans and widows were among the most unprotected
and needy classes in ancient societies (Ezek. 22:7). Pure religion does not merely give material
goods for the relief of the distressed, it also oversees their care.2

B. God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow.

1
[Link], “What Does the Bible Say about Orphans and Widows?” accessed June 12, 2026,
[Link]
2
Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), Jas. 1:26–27.

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 Executes justice for the fatherless and widows: this does not only mean that God is
impartial in applying the law to orphans and widows, but that God actively takes their side.
Another way to express this is “Makes sure that … are treated fairly”. Orphans and widows were
the people with the least power in that society, and they were easily exploited by unscrupulous
people. French Common Language Version has “He defends the rights of orphans and widows”.
The Hebrew word translated as fatherless by Revised Standard Version and “orphan” by many
other translations refers to “a child without a father.” In languages that distinguish between
“orphan,” a child who has lost both parents, and “fatherless,” a child who has lost only the father,
the translator should choose “fatherless.” Otherwise “orphan” may be used.3

C. The early church ensured widows were cared for.

Hitherto the disciples had been of one accord; this often had been noticed to their honour;
but now they were multiplied, they began to murmur. The word of God was enough to take up all
the thoughts, cares, and time of the apostles. The persons chosen to serve tables must be duly
qualified. They must be filled with gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, necessary to rightly
managing this trust; men of truth, and hating covetousness. All who are employed in the service
of the church ought to be commended to the Divine grace by the prayers of the church. They
blessed them in the name of the Lord. The word and grace of God are greatly magnified, when
those are wrought upon by it, who were least likely.4

3. Evaluation of My Local Church

A. The church is active in worship, evangelism, and fellowship.
My local church actively participates in worship, evangelism and fellowship. We
conducts regular worship services every week, in which members gather to praise God, pray and
learn His Word. Our church also carries out evangelism via evangelist programs and outreach.
Fellowship is fostered among the members through prayer meetings, Bible study and special
church events which promote unity and spiritual growth.

3
Robert G. Bratcher and Howard Hatton, A Handbook on Deuteronomy, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United
Bible Societies, 2000), 205.
4
Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research
Systems, 1997), Acts 6:1.

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 B. However, there is no organized ministry specifically for orphans and widows.
My local church is engaged in many aspects of ministering to orphans and widows, but
there is no organized program for orphans and widows at this time. The church may reach out to
individuals from time to time, but there is no ongoing ministry to consistently care for, support or
reach out to these vulnerable groups. This is a time for the church to grow and to be more
effective in meeting the needs of the world and provide for the needy according to the mandate
given in scripture.

C. This is an area where the church can grow in practical Christian service.
Because there’s no ministry of orphans and widows, there’s a great opportunity for the
size and effectiveness of my local church to increase in terms of practical Christian service. The
church can put the Bible’s message into practice by caring for the vulnerable, and show the love
of Christ in concrete terms. The setting up of this ministry would serve to impact the physical
and emotional needs of orphans and widows, as well as provide an opportunity for the church to
be a witness while offering members the opportunity to serve others with compassion.

4. How I Would Introduce This Ministry

A. Share the biblical vision with the pastor and church leaders.
The first stage of this ministry is to communicate its biblical vision to the pastor and
church leaders. The Bible clearly teaches that caring for orphans and widows is an important
responsibility of God’s people. Examples of God's concern for the vulnerable include James
1:27, Deuteronomy 10:18, Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 5:3, and the church is empowered to
respond to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. I would present these Scriptures in a
meeting with the church leadership and explain how this ministry fits the church’s mission of
showing Christ’s love through practical service. I would also urge the leaders to pray together
and ask for guidance from the Lord in a way to start the ministry based on the needs and
resources of our local church.

B. Identify local needs by visiting orphanages and widows in the community.

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 As followers of Christ, we are called to care for the widows and orphans in our
communities. These vulnerable individuals often have no one to turn to for support and can be at
a disadvantage in terms of basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.5
The next step is to identify the needs of orphans and widows in the local community. This can be
done by visiting orphanages, meeting widows, and speaking with community leaders to
understand their situations. Such visits help the church learn about their physical, emotional,
spiritual, and financial needs. Gathering this information will help the church develop a ministry
that is practical, compassionate, and based on real needs rather than assumptions.

C. Form a small ministry team of interested church members.

Once the needs of orphans and widows have been identified, the next step is to establish a
small church service team, comprised of members with a heart for service. This team is able to
organize and implement programs like visiting widows, providing and receiving aid to
orphanages, and praying with those who need it, and much more. Together the ministry will be
more organized, compassionate and consistent.

D. Begin with simple activities.

Once the church has the ministry team in place, they can start doing simple and practical
tasks, demonstrating the love of Christ. Members of a team can go visit widows regularly, be
with them, listen to what is bothering them, pray for them and encourage them with the Word of
God. The church can also be of help in providing food, clothing, medicine and all other basic
needs to widows and needy families. The ministry may also help local orphanages by providing
supplies, conducting outreach programs and volunteering time with the children. These works of
service address the physical and emotional needs and demonstrate God's compassion in action.
With the expanding ministry will come the opportunity for the church to be a source of hope,
encouragement and care for orphans and widows in the community.6
5. Evaluate the ministry regularly and expand it as the church grows.

5
Jody Burkeen, “Taking Care of the Widows and Orphans,” Ignite Church STL, January 17, 2023, accessed June 13,
2026, [Link]
6
“How Can Churches Aid Widows and Orphans?” Bible Hub, accessed June 15, 2026,
[Link]

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 The church should periodically review the ministry to make sure it is doing what it can
for orphans and widows. Input from ministry team, church leaders, and those being ministered to
may help to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The ministry can grow and serve
additional families, run more outreach programs and involve more church members as the church
becomes more experienced and has more funds available. Through regular evaluation, and
careful planning, the ministry will be effective, sustainable and faithful to its mission of showing
Christ's love through compassionate service.7

6. Expected Benefits
A. Demonstrates Christ’s love through practical service.
B. Encourages compassion among church members.
C. Strengthens the church’s witness in the community.
D. Brings hope and support to orphans and widows.

7
“How Can Churches Implement 1 Timothy 5:9 in Church Care?” Bible Hub, accessed June 19, 2026,
[Link]