Following Jesus where the need is greatest
‘One person cannot change the world; but you can change the world for one person,’ shared Tearfund founder George Hoffman. It is this that has echoed throughout our work over the years and is part of everything that we do today.
Tearfund was founded in 1968, bringing together Christian compassion with practical action around the world. Known initially as the Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund Committee, Tearfund has been serving the world’s most vulnerable people for more than 50 years, helping to transform the lives of those who have been hit by disaster.
We go where the need is greatest, working closely with the local church to be Jesus’ hands and feet on the ground. As an organisation, we seek to be Christ-centred, compassionate, courageous, truthful and servant-hearted.
‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
One of the key distinctives in the way that we work is by putting the local church at the centre of all that we do. We believe we are called to serve others, regardless of their faith or background, and it is the local church that enables us to live out this calling. We’re hugely grateful for the hundreds of individuals and churches around the world who choose to support and partner with us, year after year.
It is our faith that means we stand out in the three following areas:
- The local church: where possible, we work with and through the local church, encouraging it to become an agent of change in the community.
- Changing attitudes and behaviour: we have strong ties with faith leaders around the world, helping them to influence their communities.
- Building movements: we harness the potential of church networks to speak out against injustice.
Our faith is the motivation that drives us to see an end to extreme poverty – and we won’t stop until poverty stops.
