I Introduction

“Bringing salvation to the ends of the earth” is a vision that grips Christian Reformed World Missions. Such an expansive view was Spirit-inspired long before the apostle Paul uttered it. The vision still challenges us as the world population numbers have surpassed six billion souls.

As one of the outreach-oriented agencies of the Christian Reformed Church in North America Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) has sought to fulfill its given mandate: (CRCNA Church Order, Article 77)

A. Proclaim the Gospel of the growing kingdom of God.
B. Call people of the entire world to repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and obedience to God in their personal lives and societal relations.
C. Build the Church of Christ. Develop peoples who are gathered for worship, training their own membership for leadership, and dedicated to service in and beyond the communities in which they live.
D. Relieve suffering and minister to human needs through programs of Christian education and development, with the help of CRWRC and/or local diaconal organizations wherever possible
E. Encourage and enable the congregations of the CRCNA to call and commission missionaries and to provide cooperatively for their support.

The tasks, however, are not ones to be done alone. CRWM joins the other agencies of the church that have likewise been attempting to keep church-given mandates. Local CRC congregations have found opportunities to reach "to the ends of the earth" through short- and in some cases long-term outreach programs. In many of the far-flung reaches of the earth CRWM happily finds itself in company with Christian churches that are growing and developing their own programs of reaching "the ends of the earth" with the gospel. CRWM has entered an exciting time wherein the task is one to be done in partnership with others. As a result, CRWM plans and implements its plans with a commitment to "bringing salvation to the ends of the earth" in an effort characterized by partnerships. The tasks given CRWM are to be done in partnership as we enter the 21st century.

II Report on mission fields and projects

CRWM, as one of the agencies, is one of the servants of the CRCNA. CRWM works in multiple partnerships towards providing for the fullness of GodÍs grace in a broken world; it seeks to bring glory to God. CRWM is very thankful that the support for the work continues to be strong.

During the past year CRWM gave support to 29 Reformed and Presbyterian churches, which are attended by approximately two million people. CRWM also contributed staff and grants to twenty other agencies and leadership-training institutions. CRWM provides the following, more detailed report of its work during the past year.

A Africa

1. Sierra Leone. Rebels have destroyed the entire infrastructure for our ministry among the Kuranko. National staff members have all relocated to Freetown, the capital city, where they participated in food distribution and evangelism among displaced people. In spite of the difficulties, the nationalization plans are moving forward.
2. Liberia. Though civil war forced evacuation from Liberia a number of years ago, translation work continues with the Bassa translation of the Scriptures on target for completion. Our partner organization in Liberia also reports that the Theological Education by Extension program has been reestablished.
3. Nigeria. Through partnerships with churches in Nigeria, Nigerian evangelists worked with the church planting team and extended the witness in the Kambari region. Joint work with CRWRC in urban areas established Christian communities in Jos, Abuja and Lagos.
4. Mali. Work continued among the Fulbe in Mali. Each missionary now works with individuals or small groups of believers in village settings and in Bamako, the capital city. The number of Fulbe Christians continues to gradually increase.
5. Guinea. Seventy Fulbe attended the Fulbe Christian Conference and five were baptized. The translation team completed the first draft of the entire New Testament. Team members participated in friendship evangelism and sought opportunities to establish Bible studies. Missionaries also shared the leadership of Pular worship in the towns of Labe and Dalaba.

B. Asia

With its enormous population, wealth of culture, depth of history, and variety in its religious heritage and practices Asia offers a tremendous challenge to and opportunity for the Christian church. Increasingly, Asians are not only "out there" but are fellow CRCNA members, as significant numbers of Asian immigrants to North America join the CRC. Asia is changing and we are changing. It is CRWM's great honor to have been given a small role to play in the extension of God's Kingdom and His church in Asia and in partnership with Asian churches and peoples. The great challenge is to discern the Lord's direction in ministry in such a rapidly changing environment.

CRWM's ministries in Asia have been focussed largely in China/Taiwan, Guam/Micronesia, Japan and the Philippines. CRWM works directly in church planting in Japan and the Philippines. In both of these cases CRWM works in a significant partnership with a national church partner.

Training of church leaders either in formal or informal settings are major aspects of CRWM's ministries in Guam/Micronesia, China/Taiwan, and the Philippines. Culturally appropriate training materials are produced and distributed in each of these major ministry areas.

In many of its ministry locations CRWM is also involved in providing day school teachers, prison chaplains, English language teachers, administrators, and other such skilled persons through our partner, volunteer, or associate programs. In almost every ministry task CRWM partners with either a national church or some other agency, including CRCNA agencies. In Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines CRWM works closely with a specific Reformed denomination. In Guam/Micronesia and China we seek to provide Reformed perspectives through cooperative ministries with people/agencies from a much broader theological/denominational heritage.

C. Europe

1. France. Through an agreement with the Evangelical Reformed Church in France, we placed a professor at the church's seminary to teach practical theology and administer an extension-training program for African church leaders.
2. Hungarian Ministries. Leadership training and placement of teachers in church-run schools has been CRWM's strategy in this field. We consider it a privilege to give support to the Hungarian Reformed Church as it continues to rebuild after years of communism.
3. Russia. Our work is part of an inter-agency ministry effort. Much of our ministry is centered around three reading rooms. More than 2800 people have registered to use these facilities and more than 30 have made decisions for Christ.

D. Latin America

1. Central America. Hurricane Mitch caused great destruction in Honduras and Nicaragua. CRWM missionaries cooperated with CRWRC in meeting immediate needs and in rebuilding the homes, which had been destroyed. Although the internal struggles have not been resolved within the CRC of Honduras, CRWM has made and is implementing plans to give support to the two groups of churches to help them continue their evangelism and theological education programs.
   
   In Nicaragua, CRWM supported the efforts of the CRC-Nicaragua to strengthen the new church plants that have recently begun.
   
   In El Salvador CRWM gave support to the Reformed churches non-formal training program and other theological institutions.
   
   In Costa Rica, CRWM continued to provide support to the evangelism programs of the churches as an integral part of its educational strategy. In UNELA (Evangelical University of the Americas) CRWM provided missionaries for the director position and for course development. With the increasing demand for its educational services throughout Latin America, CARC (Central America Regional Council) has approved a position for the Dean of Extension Studies.
   The development of Christian Reformed Churches and a Christian school system in Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua is made possible through grants and the deployment of staff.

    

2. C.I.E.E./I.F.E.S (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students). Ruth Padilla De Borst (formerly Ruth Eldrenkamp) continues an important ministry of publishing solid Christian books in Latin America as a support to Christian university students. This is done through production of materials and management of Edicion es Certeza. (Ruth resides in El Salvador.)
   
   
3. Cooperative International Theological Education (CITE). CRWM provided one missionary position to CITE. Missionary Win Gritter worked in Cuba and Mexico during the past year. In Cuba she helped with the Christian Education programs of the CRC-Cuba and in helping to organize and give counsel for the youth camps.
   In Mexico she gave advice to two Presbyterian Bible Institutes in Chiapas which desired to reform their curricula. She also cooperated with CRC World Literature Ministries in the writing and editing of books.
   Leadership training workshops, distribution of theological textbooks and the editing of Spanish materials were major components to the work of CITE.
   
   
4. Cuba. The Christian Reformed Church in Cuba saw growth limited only by the size of the buildings. The vitality of the CRC of Cuba was demonstrated as new members joined the churches, capable young leaders sought training and the number of summer youth camps expanded.
   CRWM provided grants to the Christian Reformed Church of Cuba, organized and gave leadership training seminars and facilitated short-term visits to Cuba by missionaries from other countries.
   World Missions was and will continue to be the channel for a grant to be given from Classis Alberta North to the churches in Cuba. World Missions anticipates sending an associate missionary for 3 months to help set up a theological education program by extension in local churches.
   
   
5. Dominican Republic. Hurricane Georges struck with full force in areas where members of the CRC of the Dominican Republic live. CRWM cooperated with CRWRC and national leaders in providing immediate relief. The missionaries also used emergency funds with the help of volunteer work groups to rebuild many damaged and destroyed churches. Within 6 months most of the programs were back in operation. CRWM reports the encouraging way in which the national church leaders are making progress in their diaconal programs and theological education programs. This has resulted in a significant shift in the deployment of personnel and resources.
   Formal education continues to be provided through COCRef (an Association of Reformed Christian Schools) and UNEV (National Evangelical University). COCRef saw 21 active Christian schools, and the level of education provided has increased substantially. UNEV continues to mature and develop as an organization; CRWM provided the director. Significant advances were achieved which assured the stability and future growth of this institution.
   
   
6. Haiti. The CRWM and CRWRC missionaries have formed one ministry team for Haiti, now identified as Sous Espwa (meaning "fountain" or "source of hope").
   CRWM worked through national partner organizations to develop educational programs and materials. These in turn helped participants attain a higher level of spiritual, social, and/or professional maturity. Consequently they in turn have been able to be more effective agents in meeting the needs of their society.
   
   
7. Mexico. CRWM focuses on church planting and development with a heavy concentration on church leadership development. Much of the CRWM's ministry is in cities. The mission plans to expand its ministries to more urban centers in partnership with the Back to God Hour, World Literature, and CRHome Missions.
   The Reformed Theological Seminary of Mexico students do an outstanding work in the churches and San Pablo Seminary student body in Merida work well in evangelism.
   Leadership training and the development of churches for the Reformed Presbyterian and National Presbyterian Churches of Mexico continued through grants and the deployment of staff. CRWM continued in its support of a developing Christian school in Belize.
   
   
8. Puerto Rico. The three newly planted churches grew well. A regular missionary continues to encourage church growth and will finish his service in Puerto Rico in June 2001. At that time the decreasing grant also will come to an end.

III. Ministry in Canada and in the USA

Whereas CRWM International's major focus is on the field and project ministries, the ministries and plans of CRWM Canada and CRWM USA are focused on challenging the CRCNA to respond to the international mission outreach needs. A positive working relationship exists between the offices in Burlington and Grand Rapids. Through a joint-venture agreement the two offices give administrative support to the churchÍs international outreach. This challenge includes the development of the following:

A. Network of Prayer: CRWM recognizes the critical role of prayer. Therefore, through written and oral communications, CRWM challenges the church to be a praying church. Modern technology, such as e-mail and the fax machine, provides exciting opportunities to make such prayer requests readily available and more meaningful.

B. Mission Vision: There is significant variation in the level of passion for international outreach within our churches. Some, particularly the elderly, are very loyal and very mission-minded. Others appear to be more interested in local outreach initiatives. The real challenge facing CRWM is nurturing a sense of passion for the lost and suffering throughout the world in the hearts and minds of younger generations.

C. Partnership: Pilot projects have been developed between CRWM and several Classes. Classes Alberta North, Niagara, and Wisconsin have begun to develop a greater sense of passion and support for mission projects.

D. Regional and local representative networks: CRWM USA and CRWM Canada work through a network of regional and local church representatives. Seminars in each of eight regions (soon to expand to 10 in keeping with the BOT's decision) give CRWM opportunities to share about the ministries and to provide encouragement for outreach. Within the Canadian context such seminars combine the efforts of all CRCNA mission agencies.

IV. Program report for recruiting and training

Training programs prepare long-term, short-term people and Summer Mission Programs participants.

CRWM needs more than $73,000 to send and keep a long-term missionary family overseas for one year. Somewhat less than one-half of this support comes from denominational ministry shares. An average of 12 sending and supporting churches supply most of the other half with faith promise or above-ministry-share support. Individuals can also support missionaries directly rather than through their local churches. Short-term partner missionaries, associate missionaries and summer mission participants serve usually for one to two years and do not receive salaries from CRWM. They raise their own support (travel and living allowance) from churches and friends, support themselves, or in the case of many partner missionaries, are supported by a job in the country to which they go.

All of CRWM fields and projects and 96% of our 300 missionaries are connected via the INTERNET to the office and to each other. This greatly increases the mission's ability for communication and distribution of mission news.

The names and addresses of our missionaries and regional representatives may be found on the back pages of the World Missions calendar. They are also listed at various sites on the web. These plus CRWM administrators are also listed in the Directory of agencies and Committees of the CRC Yearbook.