Founder

2.1 Rev. Bob Pierce - The Founder of World Vision International

World Vision began in the heart and mind of its founder, the Rev. Bob Pierce. He was confronted in Asia in the late 1940s with both the spiritual and physical needs of the people. During a visit to China in 1947, he was challenged by a missionary to help care for an orphaned child. He used film, radio broadcasts and personal appearances to convey to Christians in North America the overwhelming needs in Asia. Interest and support grew as friends and listeners responded to his stirring appeals.

The plight of thousands of orphaned children and displaced families prompted Pierce one night to write on the flyleaf of his Bible, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” He returned to the US and in September 1950 established World Vision.

“We must meet people’s physical needs,” Pierce proclaimed, “so that we can meet their real (spiritual) needs.” He lost no opportunity to stir the hearts of Christians to give sacrificially to help or sponsor Korea’s needy children during the Korean War.