A message from our International Director

Welcome to the Annual Report from World Outreach (WO) for 2020.

On all levels, 2020 was an unprecedented year with the COVID-19 pandemic, closed borders and lockdowns disrupting our normal operations. Even though our field workers have been unable to continue much of their face-to-face ministry as usual, they have adapted and improvised with what I call ‘creative compassion’.

Our field workers have seen the Lord open new opportunities to assist those most affected by COVID-19 in practical ways. Many obtained permission from their local authorities to distribute food, medicine and basic supplies to the most vulnerable. This has brought remarkable results in places like Pakistan, Egypt, India, Thailand and Mozambique.

To provide food and basic necessities for exposed families, we set up a special COVID-19 appeal to help provide resources for the field workers to distribute. In 2020, (USD) $75,000 was received from donors. Along with some extra funds WO made available, we distributed around (USD) $92,000 to suffering and at-risk people.

One of our field workers in a sensitive country recently wrote that: ‘COVID-19 has become a boon for the houses churches. It seems they have hit pay-dirt, as multiplication in the last two months has been beyond the wildest thoughts I’ve had. Every house church has multiplied by at least five times.’ Another field worker wrote how the care they’re giving to the poor has opened unprecedented doors into communities that, up to this point, have not been responsive to the Gospel.

Like most organisations, there was a decrease in giving in 2020, but an equal reduction in expenditure, so the overall effect on WO has been manageable.

Despite the pandemic, thousands have still been reached with the Gospel, dozens of new churches have been planted, kids have been discipled through programs in multiple countries, prisoners have been visited, susceptible communities have been assisted, the hungry have been fed, leaders have been developed, and the love of Jesus has been shown to people. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and love of God can never be locked down or limited.

I want to express our heartfelt thanks to you for your prayer, interest in, and support of WO. We simply couldn’t do what we do without your generosity and partnership in the Gospel.

God bless,

Bruce Hills

International Director