Church World Service

The Church World Service (CWS) is a cooperative ministry founded in 1946 and is composed of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations and communions. As a Christian nongovernmental organization and in line with the best practices of Christian values, CWS provides services to individuals and communities in crisis around the world. Its mission is to connect Christians with partners to create intercultural and interreligious coalitions aimed at eradicating poverty, hunger, and other social injustices as well as promoting peace in a global context.

CWS offers programs globally that support sustainable grassroots development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance. This organization gives focus to education and advocacy in efforts to raise awareness about hunger-related issues and lend voice to the concerns of its partners and constituents. CWS seeks to nurture growth and development globally through education and innovation and empowering its partners to take an active role in the progress of their communities. It confronts the root causes of hunger and works toward food security through the protection of land rights, nutrition education, and food diversification. CROP (Communities Responding to Overcoming Poverty) Hunger Walks have become a major fundraising effort by CWS in the fight against hunger as well as for international relief and development.

[Page 218]Providing potable water and establishing an ecosystem-based management that allows for the purification and sustainability of water is also part of CWS's mission. In addition, this organization aims to raise awareness about poverty, the AIDS epidemic, human rights issues, and peace building. The efforts of CWS located within the United States also have an international focus and work toward promoting fair national and international policies.

CWS responds to emergencies worldwide and primarily focuses its efforts on individuals and communities who are vulnerable in the aftermath of disaster. The organization partners with communities to identify their needs and access resources for survival and long-term recovery in addition to providing physical assistance during crises. Through its Immigrant and Refugee Program, CWS is proactive in meeting the needs of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and assists with resettlement efforts along with other legal, professional, and chaplaincy services. In addition, immigration reform and political advocacy have become an important focus for this organization.

Some have claimed that CWS has made use of its efforts and the advantage of globalization to proselytize. However, CWS maintains that its humanitarian work has been grounded in service rather than evangelism and provides assistance to those in need regardless of religious background.