Ever wanted to create your own non-profit organization but figured it was impossible for an average person such as yourself? Well open your eyes and read carefully because Pepperdine student Chris Grotz completed this task his junior year.
The non-profit Christian organization that Grotz created is Amen Missionary. This organization helps the migrant and refugee communities throughout Southeast Asia by working with local institutions like churches and schools to advertise education provide health care ensure nutrition and accurately portray a God who loves them.
Amen seeks to establish a personal connection and a financial bridge between the international communities and Burmese migrants&’ and orphans located throughout the Thai-Burma border. Amen provides immediate emergency assistance and long-term development of basic human needs. According to Amen&’s website (www.amenmissioary.org.) development adviser Ben Young working from California helps the organization raise money through grants and donors.
Grotz&’s passion for this non-profit organization is really what intrigued Young and urged him to get involved. &’When team members relay stories of success in Thailand due to progress provided here in California” Young says &’I enjoy seeing how positively everything done here pays off there.” Grotz now a Pepperdine senior TV production major also models and acts in his spare time.
That work is actually what led him to the creation of Amen Missionary. Grotz went on a modeling contract in the summer of 2009 and he lived in Bangkok Thailand during the shoot. It was the visit to Thailand that opened his eyes to the terrible condition in which the neighborhoods and schools were subject to. Experiencing what these people endure each day in only a few months was enough to make Grotz want to take action especially after he came into contact with a place by the name of Fae Fot a small village in Thailand on the border of Burma and Thailand.
Refugees and orphans flee to Thailand due to an oppressive government in Burma also known as Myanmar. During Grotz&’ trip to Thailand in the summer of 2009 he says he &’learned how to love a stranger.” He believes his connection and bond with the children is one that cannot be broken. Because this organization was founded in Thailand Grotz has an office here in California as well as in Thailand and he has to commute between Thailand and the United States once each month.
Therefore Grotz hosts several events throughout the year in both locations to raise money for the program. For example each summer a school program is offered in Thailand where Grotz and members of the organization teach English Thai and math to 80 orphan children and provide them with lunch. While here in California he hosts his major fundraiser in April that includes a students versus faculty basketball game and step team performances (which Grotz is a member of).
Overall the Amen Missionary Organization&’s goal is to promote education nutrition hygiene and spiritual stability while immaculately transforming the lives of Burmese orphans. &’It is important to be of service where there is a need and how you help personally can make a big impact” said Chris Mendez Amen volunteer and friend of Grotz. The Amen Missionary does all its good work because one Pepperdine student felt it was his calling to reach out and help children in need. Grotz is the embodiment of Amen&’s message: nothing is impossible when mind matter and passion unite.