It wasn’t quite Moses’ burning bush experience, but for Jim and April Jurgensen, the call felt as clear: “Tell Russian orphans of My incredible love.” 

Jim and April’s first exposure to Russia was through The CoMission, training teachers to use a Christian morals and ethics curriculum. During subsequent visits to Russia, talks with friends and quite times with the Lord, God gave April a vision for reaching Russian orphans for Him. Her heart ached for these precious children who, statistics say will turn to prostitution or suicide. 

The programs of The Boaz Project began in March of 1999 in an informal way, with friends and acquaintances eager to help. It became a formal, non-profit organization in November of 1999 and existed to serve the children in Russia's Vladimir region.

by 2003, the ministry had expanded to include the Khabarovsk region in Russia's Far East. Though 11 time zones away from the work in Vladimir, the needs of the children were similar in scope and significance. Christians in this city near China's border stepped in to provide Bible education and baby nurturing to the orphans there. 

But it wasn't until November of 2007 that The Boaz Project's sphere of ministry expanded beyond Russia's borders. When the directors and board of the ministry agreed that it was time to use the model created in Russia to reach more children in the world, doors for work in India flew open.

While the physical conditions the children live in are lacking, the bright eyes of the orphans in Bangalore testify to the power of love. Raised in orphanages run by Christians, the children The Boaz Project works with know true joy.

 Today, The Boaz Project seeks to touch an ever-growing number of orphans with Christ's love through our various programs. Check out the What We Do section of our website.