Thomas Mollhagen has spoken at Evensong the last two years about his organization Open Arms for Asia (OAFA). Each year he has told Cornerstone students about the home he runs for children and has asked for their help in maintaining the organization. But this year, he has taken it up a notch.

Mollhagen is back in the states on a short furlough and looking for more support for the children’s home.

The orphanage has many needs.  Currently, OAFA is seeking to purchasing land in which to build an orphanage.  Until now, OAFA has rented buildings in which to house the children. 

Unlike previous years, Mollhagen pushed the need for a partnership between OAFA and Cornerstone.

“This can be like another arm for Cornerstone,” Mollhagen said.  “We want a partnership so they can come teach us.  A one-time thing is not going to cut it.  We want to hold hands together in the knowledge of Christ.”

“Thomas has a heart for Cornerstone and knows the climate here,” said Erin Jewell, senior.  “By just knowing people from Cornerstone, and seeing the character that people possess, that’s why he wants involvement so much.”

“Basically, we are supported by [Cornerstone] students,” Mollhagen said. “We’d like to see Administration get involved.”

Gerald Longjohn, director of ministry development, said he is interested in working with OAFA.

“We are so excited about what Thomas is doing, and we’d love to look at India as a place of partnership for cornerstone,” Longjohn said.

But the partnership is in the “early stages.”

“It has potential,” Longjohn said. “We’d love to continue looking at how we can partner with OAFA… It’s a little early to tell, but I certainly love the entrepreneurial nature of what Thomas is doing.”

Many of the children at OAFA have been molested and experienced abuse both physically and verbally.

“If we can have social workers, we want them to come,” Mollhagen said.

Mollhagen also hopes education majors can come teach the children English.

“The kids need to know English to be successful,” Mollhagen said.

Beyond that, Mollhagen is working to make the orphanage sustainable.

“Our goal is to buy land and build farms that sustain and support it,” Mollhagen said.

According to Mollhagen, “Crossroads Bible Church promised three acres of land,” in which to build housing for the children.

Jewell is passionate about Mollhagen’s mission because of its natural, spirit led beginning.

“It was completely grassroots,” Jewell said.  “That’s why I love it … and I’m sure to that community, that someone of their same ethnicity who left and came back from ‘prosperous America’ is back and helping his own [is huge].  Any ministry class you go in, they always say that the people have the most impact are those who are one of their own.  And that’s what Thomas is doing.  So it’s great.”

While the needs for OAFA are great, everyone can help somehow, whether by going on a trip to India and getting their hands dirty, or by opening their wallets and giving a donation.”

“A chicken costs $2,” Mollhagen said.  “A lot of people can give $2.”