Tearfund’s General Director, Doug Balfour, is leaving Tearfund after nine years. In November he will become the first Executive Director of The Global Alliance, a network of 13 Christian relief and development agencies around the world who are joining forces in an alliance that will enable joint responses to disasters and long-term poverty.
David White, Tearfund’s Chairman, said he found it was difficult to pay adequate tribute to Doug’s contribution to Tearfund over the past decade. “His personal vision and commitment to see the Church fulfilling its responsibility to work alongside poor people has had an immense impact. Under his leadership many Christians and churches in the UK have risen to that challenge. There are now more Christians than ever before praying for poor communities, working as volunteers in the UK, and financially supporting the work of Christians addressing poverty in the developing world.
“The Global Alliance, of which Tearfund is a part, will seek to share expertise, people and leverage more resources in the fight against poverty,” explained Doug Balfour. “During my time at Tearfund I have seen the potential of collaborating with other similar agencies around the world who share the same values and together we can make an even bigger difference to the poverty issues that confront us daily.
“In my years at Tearfund I have seen first hand that poverty, sickness, injustice - all continue to grow in our world today. While many of us live comfortable lives, literally millions of people spend their days in misery and hopelessness. I have a vision for Christian agencies around the world working together with the church for much greater effectiveness on a global scale.”