Chosen: A new way to empower children and your church
Chosen flips the script: Instead of sponsors selecting a child, children are empowered to choose their sponsor. It’s a bold invitation for churches to step into something deeper, where transformation happens on both sides of the story.
Written by Brittanie Latorilla
on May 17, 2023
“They’ll Get to Choose You” — A Pastor’s Call That Still Echoes
At Soul Sanctuary in Winnipeg, Lead Pastor Gerry Michalski invited his congregation to take a powerful step:
“There are kids waiting to be sponsored. My challenge to you: walk out today, get your picture taken—and they’ll get to choose you.”
Years later, Pastor Gerry still shares the impact of that first Chosen event.
“Watching people open envelopes with their own names, seeing the child who chose them, is very powerful and personal. It creates a huge emotional imprint. People are responding to the call of God to look after the orphans.”
Churches Step Forward—and Lives Are Changed
Forest City Community Church answered the call for kids in Malawi, inspired by an emotional challenge from Pastor Rob Hogendoorn.
"Congregants flooded the cameras with their yes", a team member recalled.
The momentum was growing. But then—like so many other moments in ministry—the pandemic changed plans. Forest City’s in-person Reveal Party had to be cancelled.
Finally, one last church, The Meeting House, tested the first Canadian all-virtual Chosen event for children in Malawi. Yet, due to challenges, Chosen paused temporarily to provide better hybrid opportunities.
Yet, despite these challenges, the spirit behind Chosen remained alive.
Chosen, Reopened: A New Wave of Life-Changing Moments
With travel reopened and churches gathering again, Chosen is back, refreshed and ready for hybrid engagement and greater flexibility for churches of different sizes to join this movement.
At The Olive Branch Community Church, volunteer Selina expressed her joy: “Thank you for coming to our church and spreading the amazing work of God. I had a ton of fun volunteering and watching people open their envelopes—it was so fulfilling!”
And at Forest City Community Church, Pastor Rob and his wife Coby hosted their second Chosen event and conveyed their deep appreciation and believe “Faith in Jesus is at the core of this.” They are: “Seeking to see lives transformed not just through improvements, but the God who is behind it, for every life, for every child, for every family...and community.”
Child and woman from Awach stands smiling holding her pictures of her Chosen sponsor
Watch Pastor Rob and his wife Coby's full reaction to Forest City's Chosen.
Why Now? Why Your Church?
Since its launch in 2019, Chosen has reshaped our thinking about sponsorship. But its mission is more urgent than ever to help those in need.
We believe God is still using Chosen to ignite compassion, build community, and bring lasting transformation in Canada and around the world.
Don’t wait. Let your church be part of something unforgettable. Let them be Chosen.
Children from Awach stand smiling with pictures of their Chosen sponsors from their event.
Boy holding a photo of the family he chose.
Watching people open envelopes with their own names, seeing the child who chose them, is very powerful and personal. It creates a huge emotional imprint. People are responding to the call of God to look after the orphans.