Light of the World Foundation
The Challenge: In the United States and Europe, Christian churches are declining rather than growing, and, accordingly, the Gospel message is being decreasingly heard. Christians and Christian organizations are often portrayed in the media as being judgmental, hypocritical, divided, extreme, and irrelevant. People who are not followers of Jesus Christ often feel that Christians are more interested in telling them what they believe than in showing them how much they care.
Our Purpose: Our purpose is to obey God’s great commandment: to love God, to love our neighbors, and to multiply by making disciples of Jesus Christ … to be the Light to the World.
Our Mission: We aim to be Christ’s Ambassadors on earth by modeling a life of praying for and caring for others, and by sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ in gentleness and with respect.
Our Vision: We foresee identifying, enlisting, and supporting Christian-based We Care (Your City) affiliate organizations in all the major cities in the USA and around the world, affiliated with and supported by Light of the World Foundation … so as Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23, our unity will show the world that Jesus is One with God the Father and they will see that God sent Him to show His love for us.
Our Goal: Our short-term, 1-5 year, goal is to stand up and grow a city model … We Care Bowie in Bowie, Maryland and then to expand to a nearby city like Annapolis … We Care Annapolis. As we obtain additional funding and support, our long-term, 5-10, year goal is to expand to other city affiliates … We Care Colorado Springs, We Care Asheville, etc., as God leads.
Our Strategy: We plan to connect with and gain the support of a major nationally known person who will become the spokesperson and standard bearer of the We Care Movement. We intend to identify, work with, and act as a catalyst among existing Christian denominations, national community based para-church organizations, and other Christian non-profits with similar visions and missions … to collaboratively form We Care (Your City) organizations.
City-wide We Care affiliates would include 1) We Care Community Networks composed of Church Community Care Coordinators and other community care providers, 2) We Care Community awareness campaigns, and 3) unified coalitions or associations of Christian pastors working together to help show the city and all the communities and neighborhoods within the city that, as followers of Jesus Christ …We Care.
We plan to eventually hold national and international conferences that set forth the Light of the World Foundation’s vision, goals, and strategies. These conferences will include sessions with tactics and resources to help train up and equip pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, para-church organizations and community service providers stand up and grow We Care affiliate organizations in their respective cities. We also plan to eventually provide small grants (seed money) to jump start city-wide We Care affiliate start ups.
Each city-wide We Care affiliate will periodically share testimonies about how God is moving to fill the needs of hurt people and to bring healing, restoration, and Christ’s love to their neighbors. Each affiliate also will stay in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to lead this initiative, and be open to hearing and following His leading.
Our Leadership: Leadership will be provided by Board of Directors comprised of nine members representing the diversity of our Christian faith and the collaborative supporting organizations. As member We Care affiliates form, as many as four Executive Directors from these affiliates will be included on the Light of the World Foundation Board of Directors.
Our Organization: Light of the World Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with affiliate We Care members located in communities and cities. Light of the World Foundation complies with state and federal tax- exempt laws and codes and follows the financial accountability practices and principles of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability. Officers will include, at a minimum: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Our Resources: Philanthropic organizations and their grant programs, national and international corporations, Christian denominations, and private donations will provide the primary needed financial support. Light of the World Foundation will provide seed money to new affiliate start ups until they can become self-supportive.
Our Biblical Charge: “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)”Go and make disciplines of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21). “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:3-6) “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)