International Sanctuary Ministries, Inc.
sanctuaryministries.org
office@sanctuaryministries.org
PO Box 2238
Abilene, TX  79604
Click here to read original story posted on July 25, 2025.
Click here to donate to the new school.

By Loretta Fulton

When Matt Merritt squeezes his eyes shut, he can envision a new school for the children who live in an orphanage in India on the same grounds where the school will be built.

In just a few months, he will be able to see that school with his eyes open. Anticipated completion date is in May, with a new school year starting in June. 

Matt and his wife, Cheryl, live in Abilene but frequently travel to Tenali in the southeastern part of India. International Sanctuary Ministries, Inc., the name of the orphanage and soon a new school, is located about eight miles from Tenali. 

Architect’s rendering of new school

The Merritts learned about the ministry in 2011 when they began thinking about ways to offer their services beyond what they did at their home church, Hillcrest Church of Christ. When Matt started searching online, he discovered what was then named Sanctuary Home for Children, with the home for orphans in India. He scrolled down the page and was stunned.

“I saw that they were based right here in Abilene,” he said. 

The Abilene connection was Amanda Pettit Horner who attended a church in Hondo that was supporting an evangelist in India named Isaac Palaparthi. Amanda later moved to Abilene and continued her connection with Isaac. 

The more Matt dug into the ministry, the more he liked what he found. The Merritts joined the board of directors in 2012. Matt is now the president and Cheryl, a CPA, is the treasurer. They have made several trips to India and most likely will make many more with the opening of the school, which will house grades K-10, the top secondary grade in India. 

Children in school uniforms

Currently, an elementary school is located on the bottom floor of the girls’ dormitory in the orphanage. Boys live in a separate dormitory on the grounds or at the original orphanage campus in Tenali and are bused to the school. When the new school opens, it will serve a dual purpose.

“The new building will be a school on the ground floor and a boys’ dorm on the second story,” Matt said. 

Moving the elementary school from the lower floor of the girls’ dorm will free up space for more orphaned girls. The new boys’ dorm on the second floor of the school will provide room for additional boys.

“If we can obtain new sponsorships for children,” Matt said, “we now have the space for them.”

A donation from three individuals, including one from Abilene, covered the cost of construction, but International Sanctuary Ministries is conducting a campaign to staff the school. Click here to donate to the new school. The donation to build the school contained extra money, but it was a one-time gift.

“This could be used if there are cost overruns on the construction,” Matt said, “or it could be used to fund the teachers for a year.”

Matt and Cheryl Merritt with Isaac Palaparthi

After that, the ministry will be relying on donations to cover expenses totaling about $9,000 per month. The $9,000 covers the salaries of 10 elementary and 8 secondary teachers, office staff, cleaning staff, utilities, and feeding the children. Currently, the new school will accommodate 105 students, but more can be added if sponsorships are obtained. 

“This seems like a very daunting task,” Matt said. “We pray that God reaches people for this work, because from a human standpoint, I don’t see how it can be done.”

Before Sanctuary Ministries opened its elementary school about two years ago, it was strictly a home for orphans and for children who were neglected. The children attended “low-caste, under-resourced public schools,” Matt said. The schools didn’t provide courses in the English language, which is necessary for higher-paying jobs. The schools often lacked basic resources.

“Our children didn’t even have desks,” Matt said, “but sat on the floor for instruction.” 

Sanctuary Ministries current buildings

Sanctuary Home for Children, the original name, opened in 2007, and since then has expanded its services and footprint. It originally was located in the home of founder Isaac Palaparthi and his family. The orphanage moved into its own campus in Tenali, and then a donor in Abilene and a donor in San Antonio combined their resources to buy five acres of land about 10 miles outside of Tenali for the ministry’s new location. In 2023, three two-story buildings were constructed on the land to house the home, elementary school, and offices.

Extended ministries include drilling water wells, supporting local ministers and evangelists, sponsoring a slum area that has been renamed Hope Village where children are fed and taught, supporting widows, and assisting a group of Christians who live in a leper colony.

A current project is to provide 6,000 Bibles for distribution by the 125 congregations that the ministry works with. At a cost of $4.50 for each Bible, Sanctuary Ministries needs to raise $27,000. 

The ministry’s purpose, as stated on its website, is “Helping orphans and widows in their distress, and spreading the gospel and the love of Christ in India.” Matt believes Sanctuary Ministries International is doing that through its teachings, outreach, and actions. When the new school opens, even more children will be touched by that purpose statement. 

“We have already made a difference in their lives,” Matt said, “and now, with the new school, we can provide a brighter path for their future.”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene