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we’re
celebrate
turning 80!
the past
we're turning
80!
celebrate
the
past
WE'RE TURNING 80. LET'S CELEBRATE
If you’re like us, you believe the big birthdays are worth celebrating. Since our founding in 1944, we’ve spent the last 80 years convening the global church, in all its expressions, to respond to the world’s greatest crises and create change that lasts.
While we’re proud of the work we’ve done and the change we’ve made, we know that the true essence of World Relief is found in people like you — the advocates who pray fervently and fight for change. It’s found in the community members who care deeply and serve generously, and in the donors who give abundantly and pray faithfully.
For 80 years, World Relief has witnessed countless stories of faith, hope and transformation as they’ve unfolded. And we could think of no better way to celebrate our 80th birthday than by sharing some of those stories with you! So what are you waiting for?
While we’re proud of the work we’ve done and the change we’ve made, we know that the true essence of World Relief is found in people like you — the advocates who pray fervently and fight for change. It’s found in the community members who care deeply and serve generously, and in the donors who give abundantly and pray faithfully.
For 80 years, World Relief has witnessed countless stories of faith, hope and transformation as they’ve unfolded. And we could think of no better way to celebrate our 80th birthday than by sharing some of those stories with you! So what are you waiting for?
Let's take a walk through time and celebrate some milestones together.
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1940s
Where it all began. Amidst the devastation of World War II, members of Park Street Church mobilized Christians across the U.S. to send clothes to displaced people in Europe.
1960s
World Relief convened evangelical churches across the U.S. to send food and clothing to Vietnam during the war. Our work broadened as we partnered with President Kennedy’s Food for Peace committee to get food to some of the world’s poorest communities.
1980s
Our work expanded as we provided food, clothing and shelter to 10,000 people affected by war in Mozambique and catalyzed the establishment of over 10,000 local churches in the Philippines.
2000s
We provided support to 35,000 people uprooted by war in Darfur, Sudan. We launched 800 cell churches in Cambodia and New York, and we supported church-centered trauma counseling services in the aftermath of 9-11.
2020s
When COVID-19, forever altered our world, we equipped communities with preventative health messaging and vaccine information. When waves of Afghans, Ukrainians and Sudanese families crossed borders to escape brutal violence, we were there providing support and welcoming them to communities across the U.S.
1950s
Called once again to respond to the suffering of war, World Relief established 140 feeding centers and distributed 31,000 meals a day across Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War.
1970s
After the Vietnam War, we continued to move, working with the U.S. government to build the national resettlement program, welcoming refugees fleeing conflict in places like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
1990s
When genocide devastated Rwanda, we were there with emergency relief and long-term development. Our innovative work with churches allowed us to effectively respond to the AIDs crisis and launch programs like Care Groups that still exist today.
2010s
When war drove Syrians and Iraqis from their homes, we provided winter weather gear and trauma-healing support while welcoming refugees to the U.S. When an earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, we were there with emergency aid.
1940s
Where it all began. Amidst the devastation of World War II, members of Park Street Church mobilized Christians across the U.S. to send clothes to displaced people in Europe.
1950s
Called once again to respond to the suffering of war, World Relief established 140 feeding centers and distributed 31,000 meals a day across Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War.
1960s
World Relief convened evangelical churches across the U.S. to send food and clothing to Vietnam during the war. Our work broadened as we partnered with President Kennedy’s Food for Peace committee to get food to some of the world’s poorest communities.
1970s
After the Vietnam War, we continued to move, working with the U.S. government to build the national resettlement program, welcoming refugees fleeing conflict in places like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
1980s
Our work expanded as we provided food, clothing and shelter to 10,000 people affected by war in Mozambique and catalyzed the establishment of over 10,000 local churches in the Philippines.
1990s
When genocide devastated Rwanda, we were there with emergency relief and long-term development. Our innovative work with churches allowed us to effectively respond to the AIDs crisis and launch programs like Care Groups that still exist today.
2000s
We provided support to 35,000 people uprooted by war in Darfur, Sudan. We launched 800 cell churches in Cambodia and New York, and we supported church-centered trauma counseling services in the aftermath of 9-11.
2010s
When war drove Syrians and Iraqis from their homes, we provided winter weather gear and trauma-healing support while welcoming refugees to the U.S. When an earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, we were there with emergency aid.
2020s
When COVID-19, forever altered our world, we equipped communities with preventative health messaging and vaccine information. When waves of Afghans, Ukrainians and Sudanese families crossed borders to escape brutal violence, we were there providing support and welcoming them to communities across the U.S.
drag to see more
1940s
Where it all began. Amidst the devastation of World War II, members of Park Street Church mobilized Christians across the U.S. to send clothes to displaced people in Europe.
1960s
World Relief convened evangelical churches across the U.S. to send food and clothing to Vietnam during the war. Our work broadened as we partnered with President Kennedy’s Food for Peace committee to get food to some of the world’s poorest communities.
1980s
Our work expanded as we provided food, clothing and shelter to 10,000 people affected by war in Mozambique and catalyzed the establishment of over 10,000 local churches in the Philippines.
2000s
We provided support to 35,000 people uprooted by war in Darfur, Sudan. We launched 800 cell churches in Cambodia and New York, and we supported church-centered trauma counseling services in the aftermath of 9-11.
2020s
When COVID-19, forever altered our world, we equipped communities with preventative health messaging and vaccine information. When waves of Afghans, Ukrainians and Sudanese families crossed borders to escape brutal violence, we were there providing support and welcoming them to communities across the U.S.
1950s
Called once again to respond to the suffering of war, World Relief established 140 feeding centers and distributed 31,000 meals a day across Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War.
1970s
After the Vietnam War, we continued to move, working with the U.S. government to build the national resettlement program, welcoming refugees fleeing conflict in places like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
1990s
When genocide devastated Rwanda, we were there with emergency relief and long-term development. Our innovative work with churches allowed us to effectively respond to the AIDs crisis and launch programs like Care Groups that still exist today.
2010s
When war drove Syrians and Iraqis from their homes, we provided winter weather gear and trauma-healing support while welcoming refugees to the U.S. When an earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, we were there with emergency aid.
What kind of changemaker are you?
What kind of humanitarian are you?
80 years of World Relief couldn't have happened without compassionate people like you. Take our quiz to find out what kind of humanitarian you are and see what kind of change you can make!
For 80 years, we have existed as a movement of the church, responding to the world's greatest crises and creating change, on earth as it is in heaven.
we were there.
KOREAN WAR
HIV AIDS CRISIS
SYRIAN REFUGEES
HAITI EARTHQUAKES
1940s
Founded in the Aftermath of World War II
Judy Dean is a member of Park Street Church in Boston, and served as a World Relief board member from the 1990s to 2017.
By 1944, Europe was enveloped by a tremendous displacement crisis as WWII raged. In response to the desperate situation, members of Park Street Church fasted during the Lenten season and collected the funds they saved in an offering to meet the needs of displaced Europeans. Judy shares this heartfelt story, connecting World Relief's past to our present, as churches and individuals continue to respond with World Relief today.
“The main reason I want to partner with World Relief is because of their commitment to serving the most vulnerable through the local church…World Relief’s compassion and respect for its clients is really important to me… in order to help poor individuals globally, we need to know who they are, work with them and try to address their needs together. This is something World Relief is committed to.”
-Judy Dean
1970s
World Relief Welcomes Refugees to the U.S.
In 1975, just after the Vietnam war ended, Evelyn and Grady Mangham began receiving calls from their friends in Vietnam. It was no longer safe for them to stay in their home country. Could Evelyn and Grady help them resettle in the U.S.?
The couple’s answer was a whole-hearted “yes!” In this video, Evelyn and Grady’s daughter, Connie, shares more of their story. Grady and Eveyln’s legacy has impacted the lives of thousands of refugees and challenges hundreds of U.S. churches to lean into their God-given call to welcome the stranger.
“Mom and Dad just really believed that the resettlement of refugees ought to be done by the church because the church in America would experience the love of Christ as these refugees came into their lives… Congregations began to recognize the love of God in really tangible ways… It just changed the worship experience in America in so many ways.” - Connie Fairchild
The couple’s answer was a whole-hearted “yes!” In this video, Evelyn and Grady’s daughter, Connie, shares more of their story. Grady and Eveyln’s legacy has impacted the lives of thousands of refugees and challenges hundreds of U.S. churches to lean into their God-given call to welcome the stranger.
“Mom and Dad just really believed that the resettlement of refugees ought to be done by the church because the church in America would experience the love of Christ as these refugees came into their lives… Congregations began to recognize the love of God in really tangible ways… It just changed the worship experience in America in so many ways.” - Connie Fairchild
Watch Video Testimonal of Connie Fairchild
1990s
Mobilizing Churches in Rwanda
In 1999, five years after Rwanda experienced the genocide against the Tutsi, Cyprian Nkiriyumwami felt the call to return to his home country after fleeing to escape the war. When he arrived in Rwanda, he faced many challenges as he and his country sought to reconcile and rebuild. Soon, Cyprien was hired to work for World Relief as a consultant, connecting, strengthening and mobilizing churches to respond to the immense need. Over the next two decades, he would see the hand of God at work through the global church.
“My vision for the world could be spelled in a few words. A world where love leads. In other words, a world where be it policy, be it programs, a world where all people do is driven by love. Where peace is settled, where poverty and suffering are addressed in solidarity ….The Global North and the Global South churches working together has inspired me towards such a vision for the world. They made it to show that when they are operating together, they are strong. What they can do, not one single denomination can do.” - Cyprien Nkikryumwami
We were there.