I'm the Church Relations Manager for World Renew (formerly known as CRWRC).
I grew up in East Martin, Michigan attending East Martin CRC, East Martin Christian School, and Kalamazoo Christian High School. When it was time to choose a university, I decided against Calvin because, you know, I wasn't going to be in a CRC bubble the rest of my life. So I attended Grand Valley State University instead. I'm sure God was laughing because shortly after graduation (1998) I found myself working for Faith Alive Christian Resources (then CRC Publications) in their marketing department. Five years later the Church Relations Manager position for CRWRC (now known as World Renew) opened up, and my life hasn't been the same since. My favorite thing about my job is helping churches develop church to church partnerships; it's humbling to watch one's understanding of church grow when seen through the lens of another culture.
In this webinar we explore ways to alleviate poverty while helping, rather than unknowingly harming, people who live in poverty. You’ll discover practical strategies to partner with your local and global community in overcoming poverty and injustice.
This Giving Tuesday, Americans and Canadians have the chance to have their gifts matched to help refugees.
Five community gardens projects in Kent and Muskegon counties received funding and training grants of $1250 this month to grow their projects and increase their benefit to local community members.
Around the world, March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day. I have spent the week looking at women in the Gospels, to have a stronger understanding about the Biblical view of women
Now is a great time to make sure your missions communications are up to date! Here's a handy checklist for a communications audit.
It’s that time of year again! Missionaries and field staff are making their rounds to supporting churches. How can churches and missionaries open doors for better transparency and benefit?
Missionary newsletters have been around since Paul. Are they still relevant today?
If summer mission trips are so life changing for the young people, what do those they are going to “serve” get out of it? Might we be using the community for our own transformation?
One thing that has struck me after working for more than a decade to connect churches in the U.S. with churches that World Renew works with overseas is the similarity between them.
This webinar will show how adding a FOCUS to your missions program can result in more people being part of the missions strategy and more effective ministry being accomplished.
I completely agree. And unfortunately I have seen churches that are not interested in reaching their communities. Or they think that by advertising their great youth program that will somehow...
As an agency of the Christian Reformed Church, World Renew is subject to Synod. The Synodical statement on climate change can be found here http://justice.crcna.org/creation-care-church-speaks...
It may be different in Canada, but I'm not so sure that our churches are all that great at embracing people of different ethnic groups or ministering to the poor. Sure, they are seen as recipients...
FYI World Renew is a member of CCDA and in the Partner Network of Poverty Cure (which is an initiative of the Acton Institute).
Pastor Jim, I love hearing about God is using you to bring so many to faith. You are a blessing.
I was surprised to see coffee and spices listed, since those are things that I buy when I visit the field :-)
Here you go! http://justice.crcna.org/sanctity-human-life
Just a note that they are probably post-millennials. I'm currently listening to the audiobook Generation iY and it is surprising how much difference there is in this newest generation (Z).
One ministry that could not survive without its faithful retired volunteers is World Renew's Disaster Response Services! https://worldrenew.net/volunteer-faqs
Similar to Jim, I'm also curious to see how churches are reaching out! In today's culture it can be very intimidating to get people in the door without building a relationship first. Any community...