Christianity Today

They serve in Iran. They have sizeable programs in North Korea. They work with the constraints of the world's most repressive societies, and of the most secularized. Dean Hirsch can go to the World Trade Organization and say, "We are followers of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ loved the children. Therefore…" Amazingly enough, people listen.

Tim Stafford is a senior writer for CT.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

World Vision International's website explains its work, values, identity, and partnership.

Minstry Watch's financial ratings give World Vision a 4 star efficiency rating, and an A transparency grade.

SIDEBAR
Imperfect Instrument | World Vision's founder led a tragic and inspiring life.

World Vision's US website offers more information about its relief and development work and how to get involved.

World Vision and other Christian aid organizations were among the first to provide relief after the South Asian tsunami. Our cover story on the tragedy, First Waves of Relief describes the many difficulties those organizations had.

Keeping Christ in Christian Organizations offers a broader perspective on how Christian organizations have, and have not, stayed true to their original missions.

Other articles (including some from the CTLibrary) about World Vision include:

Tsunami Catastrophe: 'Let My Heart Be Broken … ' | World Vision has changed much over the years, but the vision and compassion of its founder, Bob Pierce, continues to give it heart and soul. (Jan. 28, 2005)

The Church Awakens | Christians make AIDS fight a high priority. (January 2005)

Tsunami Blog: World Vision's $50 Million Goal | World Vision raised more money online in one day than they did in all of 2003, and has set a goal of $50 million for post-tsunami assistance. (Jan. 04, 2005)

Jon Warren: Eyewitness to Suffering | As director of photography for World Vision, Warren has spent most of his career circling the globe for organizations that involve themselves in faith, social justice, and cultural issues. Photo essay (Oct. 11, 2004)

World Vision Boots Austrian Affiliate | For the first time in its 49-year history, World Vision (WV) has "disassociated" one of its international partnerships for "failure to demonstrate acceptable standards" in connection with $1.3 million in missing funds. (Feb. 8, 1999)

De-Seiple-ing World Vision | Straight talk from Bob Seiple on myopic Americans and the new realities facing international development. (June 15, 1998)

For a look at how Habitat for Humanity, another international organization with Christian roots, struggles to keep its identity, see:

How to Build Homes Without Putting Up Walls | Habitat for Humanity strives to keep its Christian identity—a tricky task, when everybody wants to join. (May 31, 2002)

Evangelism of the Hammer | How Habitat's Christian identity gets translated in Costa Rica. (May 31, 2002)