Any Christian Aid "fans" here?

[Debp]

I try to help CA and like to designate my donation for native missions in Muslim countries.  I found out about their work a few years back from a native Nepali pastor that studied here in Los Angeles.  His brother has a ministry in Nepal that is helped through CA.  CA doesn't advertise (prefers to spend the money on the missions) so that's why I never heard about them before.  Anyone else here familiar with Christian Aid?

[nChrist]

Hello DebP,

There are such a huge number of worthy organizations needing help that it's impossible to keep up with them. I don't have very much money, but I do have several favorite organizations that I try to support. I'll only mention that I investigate the organizations I give money to. I don't give to organizations unless they are transparent with their finances and can prove what the money is being used for.

There are several well-known Christian organizations on the Internet that make regular reports on numerous Charities. I can't remember their names right now or find the links. I have no idea about how the charity you list ranks, but it's very sad that some are complete con games, and some waste huge amounts of their donations for what they call administrative costs. These administrative costs are many times extravagant salaries and other costs that are eaten up before they get to the primary target of the charity. A fairly good rule of thumb is anything over 20% in administrative costs is considered wasting donations. I'm very sad to report that countless so-called charities on the Internet are really criminals pulling scams and con games. Hurricane Katrina was an example of huge numbers of frauds. Many millions of dollars from people with big hearts were diverted into the pockets of criminals.

This is one of the reasons why we stopped requests for donations on the forum. There was no way for us to find out which ones were legitimate and which ones were con games. During Hurricane Katrina, we even had con men saying that they were collecting for old and respected charities like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. For this reason, we recommended that people take their gifts directly to their local agencies and know their gifts weren't going to criminals.

Sister, please don't think that I'm saying anything bad at all about this agency. I'm not, and I don't know anything about it. I'm simply trying to point out there is a monstrous problem with bogus charities on the Internet. I encourage all Christians to do everything they can to make sure their donations stay out of the pockets of criminals. This is one of the main reasons why the Christians Unite Forums aren't loaded up with requests for donations. Sister, please don't take any of this in a personal way, as it certainly wasn't meant that way.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NASB  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

[Debp]

Brother Tom, I do not take this personally. : )  Don't worry.

Actually Christian Aid (in Virginia) was founded by a missionary to Asia about 53 years ago.  He saw that the native missionaries had an easier time reaching their own people and much more cheaply (they can live and minister on only $50 a month).....so he came back to the USA and founded Christian Aid.  It is a member of that evangelical group that checks out groups for financial accountability (ECFA).  Also, it is called the "low overhead" mission...I just looked at the brochure and only a little over 7% is used for administration/operating expenses.  And only money you specify for administration is used for that.

CA has directors in each area of the world that thoroughly checks out each indigeneous (native) mission.  One thing really good is that they help missions where American or Western missionaries are not allowed.  In China alone, I think they help about 50,000 missionaries!  And they are helping alot in Muslim countries, there are even native missionaries ministering in the terrorist areas of the Middle East.

I don't have alot of money either, but like to split my donation between Shinar Mission in Iraq, Church Planters in the Middle East, and a couple of Bangladesh missions.  Shinar is passing out Bibles in the thousands which are eagerly received and a church has even been established in Ninevah, Iraq!!  I feel good about helping where people have never heard the Gospel before in their lives.

[nChrist]

Hello DebP,

Thanks for the understanding. It sounds like they are doing a wonderful work and using the donations wisely. I do like to support missions other than my favorites from time to time, so I will consider them. My gifts are usually either small amounts of money or time and effort. Our small income doesn't go very far, so we find many other ways to serve the LORD. Health permitting, I do graphics and other things with my computer that help many, and there are usually lists of needs other than money. We can all give time and prayer.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hebrews 11:6 NASB  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

[Debp]

Hello DebP,

Thanks for the understanding. It sounds like they are doing a wonderful work and using the donations wisely. I do like to support missions other than my favorites from time to time, so I will consider them. My gifts are usually either small amounts of money or time and effort. Our small income doesn't go very far, so we find many other ways to serve the LORD. Health permitting, I do graphics and other things with my computer that help many, and there are usually lists of needs other than money. We can all give time and prayer.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hebrews 11:6 NASB  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Hi Tom,  I always enjoy your posts here.  You know, if you are interested CA also sends people some literature if they are interested in giving it to mission-minded Christians (since they don't spend money on advertising).  They publish a magazine each quarter about the work in various areas of the world.  One was all about the Muslim fields....the most recent is about the native missions in the former U.S.S.R.  (Apparently, these areas now suffer from the highest rate of alcoholism in the world!)  They also publish a small brochure called Praise and Prayer Line which lists a different ministry and their needs for each day.  The ministries/countries are alternated each month since Christian Aid helps so many different native missions.  (I was very interested in hearing they are helping a believer in Saudi Arabia to learn how to share the Gospel safely.)