Ministry to Abused Children Poised for Expansion

A seven-year-old ministry to abused children is poised for a transition to the national stage. At General Council in August in Orlando, Florida, Project Ignite Light will unveil new training materials designed to empower churches to carry out the mission in communities across the nation. 

Organized in 2008 by Assemblies of God evangelist Pebbles Thompson, the ministry supplies victims with care packages to lift their spirits and assure them of God's love. 

"This is a major launching point," says Thompson, whose husband, Darin, manages ministry finances. "We know this is an opportunity to share what we're doing with the nation. This will reach children faster than if we tried to do it all." 

The Thompsons started Project Ignite Light to provide help to kids brought to child advocacy centers by authorities investigating cases of serious physical abuse or neglect. 

Based in Rogers, North Dakota, last year the ministry supplied more than 2,000 backpacks to children in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The packs contain a blanket, pajamas, toiletries, and other items, including Max Lucado's book, You Are Special.

After recently adding Rochester, Minnesota's famed Mayo Clinic as a distribution point, Thompson is turning her attention to preparing local churches to conduct similar outreaches. 

In Orlando, the ministry will demonstrate how to pack supplies, working from its new, 48-foot mobile training center. Project Ignite Light also will offer training kits to teach and equip leaders and volunteers. 

Dianne Freitag, wife of AG North Dakota District Superintendent Leon Freitag, says Thompson couples a sweet spirit with a persuasive passion. 

"God keeps providing miracles for this ministry to grow her dreams, which are His dreams," Freitag says. "I knew from the beginning that God was going to use this ministry for His glory." 

Since its inception, Project Ignite Light has helped more than 8,500 children and distributed more than $500,000 worth of supplies.

Kenneth C. Walker

Kenneth C. Walker is a freelance writer, co-author, and book editor from Huntington, West Virginia. He has more than 4,500 article bylines and has written, edited, or contributed to more than 90 books.