"Let my heart be broken by the things that break
the heart of God." - Bob Pierce, World Vision
Founder
World Vision was founded in 1950 by the Reverend Dr Bob Pierce in response to the needs of Korean War orphans.
Dr Pierce was an American evangelist and war correspondent, who travelled to China with Youth for Christ in 1947.
On that trip, Bob's heart was broken when he was confronted by the need of one little girl. He pledged a monthly amount to a local missionary to ensure her care, and thus planted the seeds of World Vision's future Child Sponsorship model.
To provide long-term, ongoing care for children in need, World
Vision developed its first Child Sponsorship programme in Korea in
1953. As children began to flourish through sponsorship in Korea,
the programme expanded into other Asian countries, and eventually
into Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle
East.
Through the decades, World Vision has become a leader in the field
of its child-focused humanitarian, community development and
advocacy work. Approximately 40,000 full and part-time staff
members worldwide implement programmes of emergency relief,
education, healthcare, economic development and the promotion of
justice in almost 100 countries.
World Vision is a living tribute to Pierce's work.
