2020
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.
From the President
We’re glad it’s over!
That is the collective cry of people around the world about 2020. Our hearts have gone out to so many people globally who have experienced disruption, suffering, and loss, including many of you who are faithful supporters of our ministry.
In the midst of it all, two words come to my mind as I think of 2020: generosity and resilience.
Dr. John Bernard
United World Mission
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 local church to share the love of Christ with refugees, children-at-risk, victims of human trafficking, and families stuck in cycles of poverty and injustice.
2020 Year-in-Review
WE PRAISE GOD FOR 2020’s MINISTRY RESULTS!
Without question, 2020 was a difficult year marked by confusion, struggle, apprehension, and fear. It was also a year marked by determination, resilience, creativity, and accessibility. As our missionaries persevered through the challenges brought on by a global pandemic, they also expressed gratitude to God for the innovation and technology that enabled them to serve Him in transforming ways: Webinars and virtual calls that helped train, equip, and keep people connected, as well as relief efforts that provided loaves of bread and bags of rice across the globe. Your faithful encouragement helped to sustain the work He is doing in and through us!
We’re excited to present the following 2020 ministry results:
3,996
PEOPLE DEVELOPED THROUGH INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION OR DISCIPLESHIP
5,686
LEADERS DIRECTLY EQUIPPED
BY UNITED WORLD MISSION
38,304
LEADERS EQUIPPED BY OUR GLOBAL PARTNERS WITH OUR HELP
196,294
PEOPLE SERVED THROUGH HOLISTIC MINISTRIES BY PARTNERS WITH OUR HELP
1,145
NEW CHURCHES PLANTED
660
GLOBAL PARTNERS
Stories
Engaging Holistic Ministry
Surprise by Love
At Christmas, God enabled us to express one of our core values, surprise by love, through a generous financial gift made in memory of our beloved board member, Tom Gabe, who passed away in August 2020.
Read The Story
Equipping Leaders
Youth Encouraging Youth to be Leaders
Statistics about the youth in Spain are not encouraging: 40% unemployment, an inability to get into a professional career until after 30 years of age, if ever, and high levels of recreational drug use, prostitution, and more.
Read The Story
Establishing Churches
Empowering National Believers to be Church Planters
Growing up in a life of animism, Sonko (name changed for security) became a believer in his early 20s, and learned what it meant to pass from spiritual darkness into the light that Jesus brings.
Read The Story
Engaging in holistic ministry
Nourishing Lives Physically and Spiritually
Due to the pandemic, India implemented the world’s largest lockdown from March to July, halting industries, schools and personal lives. It was historical and unprecedented. The impact on the urban poor was staggering.
Read The Story
Establishing Churches
Innovating to Reach the Unreached
Maria is a 38-year-old woman from a North African country with just 3,000 known Christians out of a population of 11 million. For years she had had doubts and questions about the Bible, and about the Quran.
Read The Story
Engaging in Holistic Ministry
Reaching Refugees in North America
“Lord, let them ask.” That was my prayer for a Syrian family that my ministry partner and I were about to visit. Every time we get together, we sit, have tea, and learn from each other.
Read The Story
Accessible Training to Confront the Global Leadership Challenge
Josué Fernandez, Regional Director
to Latin America
“In heaven there is not panic, but perfect plans.” This is what I heard from a friend as the pandemic started. Like the rest of the world, all our plans – for us, educating students – were suddenly canceled. But the Lord showed us clearly that everything was under His control, and in His plans.
As Regional Director, I walk with our seminary leaders to guide the development of quality theological training. For more than 20 years, Overseas Council, a ministry of United World Mission, has been offering workshops to equip leaders and faculty at our partner schools. One frequent theme in recent years has been the role of internet technology in theological education. We had no idea of how strategic this training was until the pandemic closed schools throughout Latin America.
Regional Director
Financial Summary
Dollars in Millions
Assets
Liabilities & Net Assets
Support/Revenue
Expenses
Board of Directors
David Dwight,
Board Chair
Pastor, Hope Church, Richmond, VA
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.
Michele Dudley
Director, Donahue Foundation
Jill Esau
Owner, Grencer Properties
Dr. Robert Ferris
Retired
Norm Miller
Chairman, Interstate Batteries
Keyla Pavia
COO, Masterworks, Inc.
Todd Rankin
CEO & Managing Member, Provident Investment Company, LLC
David Rogers
Chief Development Officer at Advance Regenerative Manufacturing Institute
Daniel Solito
SVP Field Operations, TPx Communications
Lorna Stern
Retired
Tim Whitener
Retired
Thank you!
“…Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
— James 1:2-4
In the passage above, James tells us that the testing of our faith gives us an opportunity to increase in perseverance, which in turn matures us as believers. After reviewing this past year, we hope you see the perseverance and resilience of God’s people.
With COVID, we’ve seen shutdowns and restrictions of many kinds. With God we’ve seen the Gospel advance and open new Kingdom opportunities: from new churches planted in Muslim communities in West Africa to a resilient seminary in Cuba pivoting to train future leaders online. The plans of God will not be foiled (Psalm 33:11), and the gates of hell shall not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18).
Our work around the world is made possible by your generosity and prayers. Thank you for continuing to walk with us to see flourishing churches changing the world for the Kingdom of God.
May the Lord bless you and keep you this year and beyond!
Going Deeper with United World Mission
This year, prayerfully consider the following ways to deepen your relationship with us!
Connect
Our Flourishing newsletter provides updates on the advance of God’s Kingdom. Submit your email address below to receive this bi-monthly newsletter.
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.
