What We Believe

Our Vision

Being the hands and feet of Jesus

To see people freed from poverty, living transformed lives, and reaching their God-given potential.

Our Mission

Empowering individuals to be transformed

Tearfund Canada exists to provide relief and development assistance to the world’s most oppressed, poor, and suffering people by partnering with churches and other Christian agencies and organizations.

Our approach focuses on empowering individuals to live in holistic wellbeing. Instead of handouts (which are quickly used and forgotten), we are committed to creating sustainable development through the local church. By loving our neighbours and joining God in His Kingdom-building, life-giving mission, you will help empower people to overcome poverty.

God’s people are a hub of change. We believe that the church is the most effective vehicle for bringing hope into a community, and is a catalyst for real transformation. God’s people are the only entity capable of addressing the broken relationships that are at the root of poverty. Through Tearfund, you’re supporting local churches to address these broken relationships, bring new life, and transform the lives of the poor.

When you partner with Tearfund Canada, you are joining a global family committed to ending physical and spiritual poverty. We are proud to be a part of the greater Tearfund Family, comprised of 10 members who collectively implement $300 million worth of programs each year. Together, we partner with 250 church-based organizations in over 50 countries around the world.

Core Values

Following God’s calling in our lives daily

Economic Justice

Recognizing God's care for all people, we are committed to development of economic opportunities for the poor of less developed countries such that they have sustainable access to the basic necessities of life.

Life Transformation

Believing God has called us to bring the love and hope of Christ to all people, especially the poor; we engage in relief and development programs, through a global network of Christian organizations, for the purpose of enabling economic, social and spiritual transformation in the lives of the poor.

Empowerment and Equity

Recognizing all people as image bearers of God, we are committed to the strengthening of civil society where all receive equitable treatment regardless of gender, race and religion. We seek to support programs that move beyond the meeting of basic needs and provide opportunities for economic and social empowerment.

Environmental Integrity

Recognizing the earth as God's creation to be cared for, and maintained for the benefit of all, we are committed to assessments, programming, training, and practices that positively impact the environment.

Mutual Interdependence

Recognizing the equality and communal nature of God's kingdom, we are committed to working in mutually interdependent relationships with our indigenous partners, other Northern and Southern organizations, the Canadian government, and our supporting constituency including individuals, churches and the agricultural, professional, and business communities.

Financial Accountability

Recognizing our financial support as being from God, we are committed to be accountable for the wise use of the resources entrusted to us. This is to be achieved through professional, focused and strategically selected programming, results-based management, and cost-effectiveness.

Maximizing Impact

We are committed to utilizing the skills and resources that God has given us to achieve effective, quality results. Our programs are designed and implemented to the highest industry standards and we always try to create the largest impact possible.

Praying Together

Prayer is at the foundation of what we do. As a Christian organization, we believe that God guides where our organization should work, gives us wisdom in difficult situations, and strengthens us in times of trouble. We believe that God hears and answers our prayers.

Whole-Person Empowerment

We are committed to whole person, whole family empowerment through training and development-focused initiatives instead of handouts. When emergencies arise, we are there in the Name of Jesus to help lift up and provide relief to the vulnerable.

Understanding poverty’s root cause

Theology of Poverty

To tackle poverty, we must first understand what it is. Through the local church, we work to restore the broken relationships – with God, with one another, with creation, and even within ourselves – that are the root cause of poverty.

We focus on the wellbeing of the whole person—not just the physical. We avoid handouts, address emotional suffering, and letting people know that they are valued and loved by God.

The problem with many solutions to poverty is that they are incomplete. Poverty isn’t just physical – it’s emotional, social, and spiritual, caused by broken relationships. We seek to help the whole person. Our goal isn’t “just” about helping people overcome poverty, it’s about people living life to the full and being part of God’s Kingdom-building, life-giving mission.

We believe the best way to provide for children is to help their parents break out of poverty. Through training, we help parents grow and earn more so that they will be able to provide for their children with dignity.

Through Tearfund you will help address beyond the surface needs, deep into the root causes of poverty. Because our whole focus is on restoring broken relationships – with God, within families, communities, and with creation. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty so that we’re not needed anymore. Through our focus on local partnerships, you will create lasting change that is efficient, effective, and local-friendly.

Statement of Faith

Believing in God’s plan

We believe in…

The Holy Scriptures as given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

One God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who created the world as an expression of His love, power, and creativity; who sent Jesus Christ into the world as healing and liberating Saviour to bring about reconciliation and restoration through His death and resurrection; and who sustains and completes His plan through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

A day, appointed by God, in which He will judge the world in righteousness.

The Gospel as ministry to the whole person; understanding it to be God’s desire to see individuals and communities healed and restored, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Donate

Tearfund maintains one of the most efficient, low-cost administrative operations to maximize the funds allocated to project partners.

of every dollar goes directly to programs and community engagement

Sponsor a

Farmer

For a 2-year training program

Become a

Faith Partner

Starting as little as $19/monthly

Partner with a

Local Church

Raise support as a congregation

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