World Vision International - Spirituality

Spirituality

In A Declaration of Internationalization (1978) World Vision declares a Statement of Faith that corresponds to the Statement of Faith put forward by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) as standard for their evangelical convictions as the theological frame in which the organization as a whole has to operate. World Vision aims to incorporate this Christian belief into their development work as well as their organization. Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations at World Vision Canada Linda Tripp wrote, "In Christ, we have a role model who healed the sick, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and comforted the outcast, and whose message was about restoring relationships and reconciliation." This directly relates to World Visions mission to provide emergency relief, development, promote justice, and spread awareness to countries in need. World Vision staff is not affiliated with one specific church; their staff makes up all branches of Protestantism and Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. Staff participates in daily and weekly services. They stress that you can be a Christian in any culture. However, World Vision also respects other religions that they encounter stating that "to promote a secular approach to life would be an insult to them". Richard Stearns, president of World Vision US, stated that World Vision has a strict policy against proselytizing which he describes as "... – using any kind of coercion or inducement to listen to a religious message before helping someone". The World Vision Partnership and all its national members are committed to the concept of transformational development, which is cast in a biblical framework and in which evangelization is an inseparable integral part of development work.

"The very nature of poverty demands a spiritual response", states Jayakumar Christian, a member of World Vision India. In her report Linda Tripp remembers the 1970s when a high number of babies in Haiti were dying of tetanus after birth. After investigating, World Vision discovered that midwives were applying mud to the babies' umbilical cords to keep away evil spirits. World Vision explained to the midwives that there was a loving God who was more powerful than evil spirits that would protect the children. Many midwives decided to stop the practice after hearing a more positive view of God.

Many organizations acknowledge that faith can be vital in development. For example, the Canadian International Development Agency stated that, "faith-based organizations and institutions are an integral and legitimate part of a healthy and resilient civil society".