Who We Are

Logo-transparent CapstoneMinistries is a ministry to the street children of Western Kenya, specifically Kisumu and the surrounding areas. Capstone was founded in 2005 with the objective of restoring street children with their family.  The ministry is founded upon the Scripture from Psalm 118:22 “The stone the builder’s rejected has become the capstone.” Capstone Ministries is a Recognized Service Organization of LC-MS.

What We Do

In Kisumu more than 1000 children, mostly boys, live full-time on the streets, begging and stealing to survive.  They sleep in open parks, on the sidewalks in front of shops and even in the sewers.  Few believe that they can or even should be rehabilitated.  But at Capstone we believe that every child has value and every child should know the love of God and family.

The process is often filled with challenges. Shame, discouragement, hopelessness, poverty, HIV, malaria, alcoholism and substance abuse are just a few of the ongoing challenges of this work.  Sometimes the road is rough and the setbacks are discouraging but we know God is able and desires change in these children and in their families.

What We Have Done

To date Capstone has reconciled 678 children with their families. Capstone staff reach out to boys on the street and encourage them to go home.  Capstone believes that it is best to reintegrate street boys directly from the street and then  make frequent follow up visits to families of the reconciled boys. Institutionalizing street children–even for a short time–often leads to dependency.  To read more about Capstone Ministries just click on the pages below.

You can view a short clip about Capstone Camp 2015 here:

Short Version Capstone Camp 2015 Video_CLIPCHAMP_720p (1)

Message From Pastor Dan & Patty Schmelzer

We thank you for visiting our website. We welcome your questions and your response.  A monthly newsletter is available below.  You can also have it emailed to you directly. You can write to us as the directors at capstoneministries@gmail.com.

Consider a special Christmas gift and direct your gift for a specific need. Just click here for your options.Christmas appeal

God bless you.

Our Projects

Bible Study

“The word of God is alive and active, sharper than a double edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12

Essential to any mission work is the application of the Word of God to relationships. It is the Word of God that changes people. Changing man’s relationship with God is the distinguishing mark of missionary activity.  Missionaries who have been in the field for some time also realize that the real challenge is to find the most effective way in which to share the Word so that the change is genuine and long lasting. Capstone currently has organized 19 small group Bible Studies for parents of reconciled children.
[Read More]

High Flyer

Education is valued by the Kenyan culture and even primary school age children see education as the path to success. Success is, however, linked to performance on the KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams taken by 8th grade pupils. Preparing for this 3 day long exam is largely placed on the shoulders of the pupil himself/herself. With this in mind, Capstone Ministries decided a few years ago to provide a preparatory study guide for this exam called a “High Flyer.”
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High School Sponsorship

High School education is not free in Kenya. The fees can be beyond the means of poor rural families. Typically fees average $650 per year for the high schools for which our boys qualify. Seven years ago, we realized that boys whom we had reconciled with families were graduating from primary school with grades that would qualify them for some good boarding schools in Kenya. We encourage individuals, churches, and foundations to donate to our Scholarship Fund for education. Currently we have 42 boys who are sponsored in secondary school.
[Read More]

Capstone Camp 2016

Newsletter

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Please feel free to forward our newsletter to friends and family who might have an interest in our ministry at Capstone Ministries!

Support Capstone

We offer giving opportunities by credit / debit card or by text through Giving Tools. This is an easy way to support Capstone. Just click on the "Donate thru Giving Tools" button below to be linked to the Capstone giving page.

You can also support Capstone with a tax deductible gift from your checking account using PayPal. Opening a PayPal account is quick and easy.

Capstone Ministries, Inc. is a 501 c3 non profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.