History
World Vision was founded in 1950 by Dr. Robert Pierce ("Bob"), a young American evangelist pastor, who had first been sent to China and South Korea in 1947 by the Youth for Christ missionary organization. Pierce remained at the head of World Vision for nearly two decades, but resigned from the organization in 1967.
On Robert Pierce's trip he was inspired by the poverty of one little girl to pledge a monthly amount to the girl's local church to ensure her care. This generated the idea of child sponsorship and World Vision.
The first area that World Vision focused on was orphans and other children in need, beginning in South Korea, then expanding throughout Asia. The program soon spread throughout Latin America, eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In the 1960s World Vision started providing food, clothing, and medical care to citizens of impoverished countries after natural disasters by soliciting donations from major corporations.
From 1966 on the organisation used in business also the name to "World Vision International" but from 1977 on this name was reserved for the umbrella organisation World Vision International. and the founding organization as a member of World Vision International is called World Vision United States whenever a distinction is necessary.
Later, Richard Stearns became president of World Vision US. He used to be CEO of Lenox China. His full story can be found in his book, The Hole in our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us?
Read more about this topic: World Vision United States
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