2019
Annual Impact Report
Our vision is to see a flourishing church, led by well-equipped local leaders, serving every city and neighborhood of the world.
The Change We Make
Equipping
Leaders
Our goal is bold: To make relevant theological education, practical training, and spiritual formation accessible to every ministry leader in every nation!
Establishing
Churches
We help local church planters start new churches that proclaim Christ as Lord and pour themselves out in loving service for their communities.
Engaging in
Holistic Ministry
We partner with the Church to share the love of Christ with children-at-risk, victims of human trafficking, and families stuck in cycles of poverty and injustice.
From the President
As I write in the spring of 2020, people worldwide are living with anxiety and fear due to COVID-19. We don’t know how long this virus will last or what will be left in its wake.
Some say this is not a “blizzard” or even a “long winter” but an “ice age,” and that nothing will be the same when we come out of it.
Despite the disruption and uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, some things are not changing. First, the need is the same. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus saw that people were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Human beings today are as fragile, broken, and lost as ever. All around the world, people need God.
Dr. John Bernard
United World Mission
2019 Year-in-Review
In 1 Corinthians 3:7 Paul says, “neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
As we report our 2019 ministry results, we know that many have been planting and watering for generations and that God has given the growth. We are servants who are thankful to have been a part of what God is doing.
We’re excited to present the following 2019 ministry results…
11,839
people developed through intentional spiritual formation or discipleship
6,583
leaders directly equipped by United World Mission
80,771
leaders equipped by our global partners with our help
234
new churches planted
142,775
people served through holistic ministries by partners with our help
854
global partners
2020 Strategic Goals
1
Mobilize 70 new U.S. missionaries and 50 non-Western missionaries for global service.
2
Build a coalition of U.S. churches and national partners to establish new churches in the Middle East and North Africa.
3
Partner with 10 seminaries globally for innovative programs to equip 1000+ Christian leaders who currently don’t have access to ministry training.
Stories
Engaging in Holistic Ministry in Costa Rica
The Good News is Spreading in Squatter Communities
Read The Story
Confronting the Global Leadership Challenge in China
by the Overseas Council Regional Director to China
In a world that feels more divided than ever before, United World Mission seeks to demonstrate the biblical values of love and collaboration as we cross barriers, unite Christians in partnership, and equip leaders who can form churches for the work of gospel reconciliation.
Through our Overseas Council ministry, we help seminaries around the world innovate to make ministry training accessible to the 9 out of 10 men and women who already are leading churches but have insufficient training. We call this the “Global Leadership Challenge.” China is a good example of this need. Many Chinese believers already lead churches but do not have training as pastors or teachers.
Regional Director
Financial Summary
Dollars in Millions
Assets
Liabilities
Support/Revenue
Expenses
United World Mission Board of Directors
Norie Roeder,
Board Chair
Systems Test Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Eddie Scott,
Board Vice-Chair
Partner, Hancock Askew & Co, LLP
Dr. John Bernard
President & CEO,
United World Mission
Dr. William Blocker
President & CEO, College of Biblical Studies, Houston, TX
Steve Cahill
CEO, Cahill Construction Co.
Josue Fernandez
Missionary Field Representative
Dr. Robert Ferris
Retired
Thomas Gabe
CEO, Heritage Petroleum, LLC
Norm Miller
Chairman, Interstate Batteries
Todd Rankin
CEO & Managing Member, Provident Investment Company, LLC
Sam Sholander
Local Parish Minister
Daniel Solito
CFO, CafeX Communications
Jack Voelkel
Retired
Tim Whitener
Retired
Thank you!
“…But be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father...”
— EPHESIANS 5:18b-20
Spiritual talk, God-filled harmonies, and thanksgiving are not reserved for Sunday Schools and Church liturgies. These are meant to be everyday practices for all disciples of Jesus. We are invited to sing, speak of God’s graces, and offer prayerful gratitude at all times and in all places, during our fellowship with one another and with God. And, yes, the pages of annual reports such as this one are opportunities to present this combination of praise and thanksgiving to God—as well as spiritual encouragement to you.
We are grateful for the works of God. Thanks be to God! We are grateful for the flourishing of churches, theological schools, church leaders, and neighborhoods that occurred in the last 12 months. We are grateful the Kingdom of God continues to spread all over the world. We thank God we can share in that work with you.
Thank you. Thank you for supporting these works and for all of your prayers. All you have given has mattered, contributing to spiritual harmony we offer in Christ together.
May the grace and peace of God be yours in abundance this year!
Going Deeper with United World Mission
This year, will you prayerfully consider the following ways to deepen your relationship with the mission of United World Mission?
Pray
Become a prayer partner! Partners in Prayer (PIP) is a monthly prayer guide for our missionaries and partners. Sign up to receive PIP here.
Go
Are you interested in becoming a missionary? Click here for a list of open opportunities, or click here to speak with one of our Missionary Coaches!
Give
Impact God’s kingdom by becoming a monthly financial giver to support the work God is doing through United World Mission. Would you prayerfully consider giving $25, $50, or $100 per month? Click here to become a regular supporter of the ministry of United World Mission.
