1940s
War Relief Unifies Evangelicals
The World Relief ministry began in 1944 when leading American denominations realized they had a unique means of addressing the needs of war-torn Europe. Many had sister churches located in some of the hardest-hit regions of the continent. The National Association of Evangelicals established the War Relief Commission to send clothing and food to victims of World War II. After the war, evangelical leaders decided that the ministry of the War Relief Commission should continue because the human need was still great in post-war Europe.

1950s
From “War Relief” to “World Relief”
In 1950 a new name was chosen to reflect the evolving nature of our ministry and the ambitious nature of post-war evangelical churches. World Relief sought to provide aid in Jesus’ name to people in every part of the globe. We designed a variety of ministries, ranging from economic development (providing sewing machines and training so war widows could earn a living) to setting up TB clinics, from supporting orphanages to land reclamation projects.

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