CRWRC also provides relief in: Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, North Korea, Serbia, Tanzania, Philippines, Uganda, and Zambia.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
The Christian Reformed Church's Confession of Faith is:
The Christian Reformed Church subscribes to the following confessions...
The Belgic Confession
The Canons of Dordt
The Heidelberg Catechism
Ecumenical Creeds*
The Christian Reformed Church subscribes to the following three creeds...
The Apostles' Creed
The Athanasian Creed
The Nicene Creed
* Article 9 of the Belgic Confession names three writings, dating from the first centuries of the Christian church, that we willingly accept as creeds: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The adoption of the Belgic Confession by the synods of the Reformed churches in the Netherlands during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries implicitly approved the three creeds mentioned above. They are call ecumenical (general, universal) because they have been approved and accepted by nearly all Christian churches."
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is the relief and development agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, providing hope and assistance to those in need. Founded in 1962, CRWRC has grown to serve more than 100,000 around the world each year with emergency relief and with community development services in literacy, basic health, micro-enterprise, and agricultural development.
In the 1970's, the CRWRC realized the need to relieve long-term human suffering, and so created and built indigenous grass roots development organizations to respond to long-term human suffering. This strategy evolved in the 1980's into consultation with already existing indigenous development organizations to build their capacities in management and in technical areas such as adult literacy, income generation, agriculture, and primary health. Today CRWRC seeks to build capacity through partnership with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in six regions around the world, and in several North American cities. The CRWRC's purpose is to bring about positive sustainable measurable change in the lives of the poor.
CRWRC is a BI-national entity incorporated in Canada and the United States. It is organized according to six geographical teams (East Africa, West Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and North America) supported by three functional teams (Program, Administration, and Communication and Resource Development) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Burlington, Ontario. Geographical teams are comprised of both national and expatriate staff. Regional planning meetings include representatives of partner organizations. In 1998-99, CRWRC's total U.S. budget was $9,676,387 of which $4,104,194 was spent on development programs and $3,610,108 on emergency relief.
CRWRC's organizational goal is to bring about positive sustainable change in the lives of those in poverty by building strong organizations. The CRWRC believes that sustainable development requires strengthening the community fabric and building healthy collaborations. This capacity to network both within the community and outside--with local and national governments, other NGOs, etc.--allows the community to draw on both local and outside expertise and financial resources. The CRWRC has developed five strategy categories that show this collaboration' Global Community Development, Program and Resource Development, Church Ministry Development, Relief and Disaster Response, and Biblical Justice Education and Service Learning.
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee communicates the following needs:
CRWRC has something for everyone who wants to serve, no matter what your age, interests, or background. Read on to find out more about which service opportunities are right for you!
TO SUPPORT...
· Free A Family is your opportunity to show God's love through prayers and pledge gifts to families in need.
· Canadian Foodgrains Bank enables Canadian supporters to provide food quickly to hungry people with no other hope of survival. You can organize local grain drives and make cash or grain donations.
· Staff Partners build special relationships with a CRWRC staff member.
· Planned Giving helps you plan your giving to CRWRC wisely. You can choose a gill annuity, a revocable gift, or estate options.
· Individual Donations can be mailed directly to CRWRC. We also offer an electronic fired transfer program. All donations are tax deductible.
· Partnership Projects help you learn about and support a particular CRWRC development project.
· Church Offering Resources complement your church's giving program. You can organize special offerings for disaster and other causes, and CRWRC will help you effectively promote your offering.
· Peter Fish Project offers you the means to combat world hunger. An orange-colored fish bank, The Peter Fish makes giving your gifts a fun and educational activity.
· Refugee Sponsorship enables you to help resettle refugees and speak tip for their rights in your own community.
TO LEARN...
· World Hunger Week is a time for churches, families, and individuals to learn about hunger, its causes, and how to respond. CRWRC offers videos, study guides, and giving opportunities.
· Poverty Education Network offers you a way to "think globally and act locally." Local committees help members find ways to put their faith into action.
· Children's and Youth Projects provide education, games, and fundraising goals related to hunger, poverty, and Christian service.
· Audiovisuals are available free of charge from CRWRC. Our videos and slide-tape shows cover a broad range of topics, including hunger, development, disaster response, and more.
TO ACT...
· Fastforward, CRWRC's 24-hour fast, enables you to learn about and make personal commitments to responding to world hunger and poverty.
· Walk for Water, an event that funds water projects in needy communities, is easy to organize for churches and communities.
· Volunteer Opportunities for short-term and long-term placements are available locally, in North America, and for a limited number of overseas positions.
· Service and Training is for you if you're motivated for Christian service and interested in working overseas to a two-year term.
· Tour Time gives you the opportunity to visit a CRWRC project and experience our work firsthand.
CRWRC US
2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560-0600
tel. (616) 246-0740
toll free 1 800-55CRWRC
fax (616) 246-0834
CRWRC Canada
3475 Mainway
PO Box 5070
Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8
tel. (905) 336-2920
toll free 1-800-730-3490
fax (905) 336-8344
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : B |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 90 | |
| Financial Information: | 90 | |
| Foundational Clarity: | | |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Relief and Development Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 167 of 348 | 33 of 52 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 167 of 348 | 33 of 52 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | of 348 | 24 of 52 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | of 348 | 24 of 52 |
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