In what ways does World Renew equip local CRC people and churches to do kingdom work?
Carol Bremer-Bennett: World Renew helps Christian Reformed congregations recognize that kingdom work is already happening in their churches, neighborhoods, and communities around the world. Our role is to connect gifts, wisdom, and relationships so we can lean into the global body of Christ together.
We invite churches into real partnership. Some engage through long-term development or disaster response; others through prayer, advocacy, learning, or giving. This is mutual ministry. We don’t see churches as helpers or communities as projects.
Peter Timmerman: I often use the word glocal—connecting the local to the global. We help churches engage meaningfully through prayer, giving, learning, advocacy, and, for some, travel. While information isn’t our primary goal, we also help churches understand global poverty, justice, and disaster response so they can engage faithfully.
What core values guide World Renew’s work?
Peter: Our strategic plan identifies four core values: faith, effectiveness, people flourishing, and stewardship.
Faith is foundational—our work is rooted in Scripture and in discerning God’s will in a broken world. Effectiveness matters because we want real impact, defined by the communities themselves. People flourishing reminds us that development is always people-based. Everything we do—food security, livelihoods, health—is about people living abundant lives, especially those who are marginalized or vulnerable. Stewardship flows from our CRC heritage: faithfully caring for resources, people, and creation. You see this in our climate-smart agriculture and creation care work.
Carol: These values shape not only what we do, but how we do it. We begin with listening, believing communities already have strengths, wisdom, and God-given potential. Dignity matters. We practice asset-based community development, asking: What’s already here? What dreams do people have for their own future? We come alongside as partners, offering support when helpful and stepping back when it’s not.
What is one thing you wish people better understood about World Renew?
Carol: I wish people knew how deeply hopeful this work is. We often show up in moments of crisis, but we also see incredible beauty, resilience, and care within communities. There is already so much hope present.
I also wish people saw that same hope in their own communities. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the news, but we’re not called to hopelessness. God’s creativity and compassion are alive—both among our partners and within the CRC itself.
Peter: Two things stand out for me. First, we work through local partners: churches and Christian organizations grounded in their contexts. This approach is empowering, sustainable, and essential.
Second, World Renew’s impact is bigger than many people realize. Through this ministry, the CRCNA has had global influence far beyond its size, touching hundreds of thousands of lives over more than 60 years.
What has been a highlight for World Renew in the past year?
Peter: For me, a major highlight has been meeting CRC members across North America and hearing their stories of refugee sponsorship, learning trips, and creative generosity. Their commitment and belief in World Renew are incredibly encouraging.
I was also deeply moved by meeting partners in Central America: strong, capable leaders whose personal stories and ministries reflect hope and resilience.
Carol: Amid significant transitions in the global development sector, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in how World Renew continues to be trusted by partners, churches, and funders. Even in times of change, World Renew is sought out for its integrity, relationships, and effectiveness.
Where would you like to see World Renew in five years?
Carol: I hope our work continues to be shaped by community voices and local leadership, marked by trust, joy, and shared power. I want World Renew to remain a bridge for CRC congregations, helping them engage meaningfully, both locally and globally.
I hope World Renew helps cultivate unity, courage, and compassion within the church. I have confidence that God will continue to bless this work as we stay faithful.
Peter: I hope we continue to grow, not dramatically in size, but in depth, partnerships, and sustainability. I want to see power increasingly shared with local partners and communities as development becomes even more community-led and relational.
How can people pray for World Renew?
Peter: Pray for courage to remain compassionate in a world that increasingly views empathy as weakness. Compassion is at the heart of Christ’s call and of our work.
Carol: Pray that we lead with humility, wisdom, and trust in God’s provision. Pray for protection and strength for staff and partners working in fragile and conflict-affected places. Pray that we stay grounded, attentive, and united—and that we never lose joy in recognizing where God’s kingdom is already breaking through.