Christian Freedom International (CFI)

Summary

Christian Freedom International (CFI) works to increase the American perspective and attention on those who suffer persecution for the Christian faith around the world. Its objectives are to obtain firsthand evidence of human rights violations and present that evidence to policymakers in Washington, D.C.; to mobilize Christians in prayer for the victims of persecution and repression; assess humanitarian need and provide such assistance as the Organization’s resources permit and launch letter writing and petition campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians.

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Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Christian Freedom International (CFI) works to increase the American perspective and attention on those who suffer persecution for the Christian faith around the world. Its objectives are to obtain firsthand evidence of human rights violations and present that evidence to policymakers in Washington, D.C.; to mobilize Christians in prayer for the victims of persecution and repression; assess humanitarian need and provide such assistance as the Organization’s resources permit and launch letter writing and petition campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians.

CFI's work centers around the words of Hebrews 13:3: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

CFI believes that all able Christians have a responsibility to assist others in the Body of Christ who are living under the burden of harassment, imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom. They strive to raise awareness of the crisis surrounding the persecuted church by mobilizing Western Christians in prayer, advocacy, and action.

CFI works in countries of intense persecution, where they have an established network of house churches, cell groups, and indigenous pastors. It is through these courageous Christians who willingly risk imprisonment or martyrdom that they are able to come to the aid of thousands of other suffering believers.

CFI's projects assisting the persecuted church include microenterprise, establishment of schools and orphanages, and distribution of food, medicine, Bibles, and other relief supplies wherever it is needed.

CFI is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Christian Freedom International uses the following to express it mission:

Christian Freedom International is an interdenominational human rights organization for religious liberty helping persecuted Christians.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

Freedom Orphanages CFI operates “Freedom Orphanages” to help refugee children and orphans in Thailand. Built and staffed by the indigenous people, CFI’s orphanages house and educate 30-60 children, who are well cared for. It is their goal to provide for as many children as they can, one orphanage at a time. Staff members are refugees themselves, who have a deep commitment to help these children thrive—even under these difficult circumstances. The orphanages are changing the course of many lives, and giving hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Jungle Schools In addition to the "Freedom Orphanages" in Thailand, CFI also supports many "Jungle Schools" located in extremely isolated areas of the Burmese jungle. These schools provide much needed education to internally displaced children in the "no-go" areas of Burma. Each school is indigenously operated by Christian teachers and staff. Financial support is used for blackboards, chalk, pencils, paper, books and related educational programs and staff. Please prayerfully consider giving to our Jungle School program.

Child Sponsorship CFI’s sponsorship is different because they sponsor children who live in areas of the world where persecution is a reality. These children don’t just live impoverished lives but also lives of great uncertainty. Some of these children have seen one or more of their parents or siblings senselessly murdered. All of the children have had to flee their homes and country to live as a refugee on the Burma/Thailand border. Even living in the camps is no guarantee that they are now safe. Attacks on the refugee camps by the Burmese militia are a constant threat. To provide a sense of normalcy to their chaotic world CFI sponsors orphanages and Christian Schools in the camps. There are many children that need your support and encouragement. This is an opportunity to have direct impact on a child’s life and make a profound difference in an otherwise hopeless situation.

Teacher Training Even in the most difficult of environments, Christian Freedom International strives to provide children with an excellent education. CFI puts a major emphasis on constantly training and improving the skills and knowledge of our indigenous teachers. However, because of oppressive governmental polices, most CFI teachers can’t leave their village or region. Without help, these teachers could never improve their knowledge. That’s why CFI provides workshops and on-site seminars from outside experts. CFI brings the best to the best so that they can in turn teach the children in CFI schools to be the best.

Brickyard Teachers Children should not have to make bricks 12 hours a day, six days a week. But in Lahore, Pakistan they do. In Pakistan, it is customary for Christian families to pay a dowry when their daughters marry. Many do not have the money as Christians are considered second-class citizens. If they have a job at all--many have no work--it is usually cleaning houses for wealthy Muslims, sweeping streets, or removing garbage. To afford the dowry, families who don’t have the funds secure a loan. For far too many Christians, the payback is a lifetime of making bricks. Owned by wealthy Muslims, the brickyards "employ" the entire family. Families toil day in and day out making bricks. They must make over a thousand bricks a day to fill their quota. But it is never enough. Christian families have been working in the brickyards for generations--never able to leave. Dad, Mom, and the children work together under the hot sun. Babies and children too young to work lie in makeshift beds by their parents as they work. Those too old or sick die in makeshift beds next to the yards. At night the families sleep in crude dwellings next to the brickyard. There is no electricity and their children don’t go to school--this is the only life they will ever know. Until now. Christian Freedom International is working to break this cycle. CFI may not be able to help everyone, but we can save a few. Working with and empowering indigenous Pakistani pastors and Christian leaders, CFI is funding Christian teachers. CFI is providing educational materials and medicine--we want to reach as many children as we can in the brickyards.

Teachers Serving the Slums In Pakistan Christians are treated as second-class citizens. Many cannot attend school. That’s why the illiteracy rate for Christians is over 90 percent. Many have no jobs and live in a constant state of bondage. While there are many obstacles and hardships, God has not forsaken His people in Pakistan. Christian Freedom International has launched several new programs to help. CFI is providing teachers in some of the worst slums. CFI is providing mobile schools and medicine. CFI is working on several micro-enterprise initiatives to provide an income for impoverished Christians. CFI is also speaking out and demanding that all U.S. aid be linked to human rights and religious freedom for all the people of Pakistan. But perhaps most important, CFI is providing hope. CFI’s work in Pakistan, like most everywhere else, is done through indigenous churches and Christian leaders.

Equiping Our Schools It may be in a jungle or a hot brickyard, but it has one thing in common: students ready to learn. And students, no matter where, need teachers and materials for learning. CFI provides books, chalkboards, paper, pencils, charts, teacher training, etc. CFI provides all the materials a classroom needs. CFI does this in some of the most difficult and hostile of environments.

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Our statement of faith is the same as the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability's.

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity and humanity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender, and class differences.

History [ Back to top ]

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Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Advocacy Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		154 of 347	8 of 22
Fund Acquisition Decision		82 of 347	4 of 22
Resource Allocation Decision		118 of 347	5 of 22
Asset Utilization Decision		302 of 347	22 of 22

Shining Light [ Back to top ]