During 2009, Anthony 'Tony' Scellato says Bargersville-based YES Ministries was born out of a love for youth and desire to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Add to that a passion for missions, and you have the heart of YES Ministries," Tony relays as the co-founder and president of the nonprofit.
He says the group's charitable efforts are about protecting kids spiritually, physically and emotionally, while training youths to become disciples of Jesus.
According to United Nations Children's Fund statistics, a child becomes an orphan every 18 seconds. That's 8,400 children per day. Worldwide, there are more than 153 million children who are orphaned. Of the 153 million orphans worldwide, Tony says 9-12 million reside in Latin America and the Caribbean islands.
This group's first missions' trip occurred during December 2011 to the island of Grenada associated with prior relationships with two pastors in Grenada due to Tony having taken his first missions' trip there when he was 19 years old. Since then, the group completed two other mission trips.
Since beginning 15 years ago, Tony says he has desired to establish children’s homes for orphaned and uncared for children throughout the Caribbean region. As of May 1, 2024, YES purchased land on the island of St. Vincent and was granted approval for plans to build their first children’s home, Covenant House of St. Vincent. Tony adds they hope to build a Covenant House of Grenada in the future on existing church property.
"Every life has value and worth, no matter where someone finds themselves. What makes YES Ministries unique is our view of kids. We view youths like Jesus viewed youths. Jesus, our greatest model of all things, showed us key aspects of how our ministry should be characterized when it comes to kids," he adds.
Tony, himself an adoptee, says prayers for their initiatives are golden.
"We love seeing youth give their heart and life to Jesus and to come alongside them to help them grow in their faith," states Tony, who also serves as youth pastor at The Light Church in Bargersville.
To donate to this ministry, the group accepts:
- Venmo: @yesmissions
- CashApp: $yesmissions
- Check, payable to YES Ministries, 4722 N. Road 500 W., Bargersville, IN 46106
317.340.3339
YESMissions.com
Tony Scellato authored the book, I Prefer The Window Seat, to give answers to the challenge of how the American church can stop watching from the hilltop and get down into the valley of the battle. For a $10 donation to YES Ministries, Tony says he will send his book.