Contents
- Foreword
- About William Carey Missions
- Workers of WCM
- Review of 2021/2022
- Outlook for 2023
- Financial
Foreword
Before you lies the first annual report of William Carey Missions Foundation, covering the years 2021 and 2022. It is a special privilege for us as a board to be able to present this report to you. A few years ago, none of the board members, those involved, or the workers had imagined becoming involved in the founding of a new foundation dedicated to the proclamation of God's Word. In all of this, we experience very strongly the faithfulness of the Lord. We experience being called to this work, whether from the Netherlands or in Ecuador. We wish that dependence on the Lord may continue to mark us, and we pray that in this report you may above all see reflected the work of the Lord, what He in His goodness does through us.
On behalf of the board, we wish you God's blessing.
About William Carey Missions
William Carey Missions Foundation was established in 2021 by a group of committed people from various church denominations, with the shared goal of making the message of the Gospel known both in proclamation and in deed. The idea behind William Carey Missions is to actively engage in mission work according to the great commission that the Christian church has received from the Lord Jesus Himself: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19).
In this commission, a number of elements can be found. First of all, the command to go to all parts of the earth, to teach there and to proclaim the message of the Gospel. In addition, there is the element of teaching all nations. Literally: making disciples , to which baptizing and learning to walk in God's ways is connected. And then teaching them to do all that I have commanded you, says Jesus. That is an extensive commission. One of these tasks is to proclaim the gospel not only in words, but also in deed. That means: doing good to the people around us. To show people throughout the world, by our example, obedience to the two great commandments: to serve God above all else and (which is like the first) to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is therefore about proclaiming the gospel while at the same time living out that message in loving our neighbor, in the practice of everyday life.
William Carey Missions regards making disciples and teaching them to give practical shape to being a disciple as its most important task. In the full awareness and knowledge that it is God Himself who ultimately makes people willing to follow Him. The most powerful means to that end is to follow the Lord ourselves as a disciple in the practice of everyday life. That is what we try to do in the Netherlands and in Ecuador.
The name William Carey Missions was chosen in memory of a British missionary who worked in the northeast of present-day India. William Carey Missions does not have the same field of work, but wishes to stand in the same ideology and theology as this missionary, who is regarded as the founder of faith missions on a Reformed basis. His dedication to, among other things, Bible translation work, motivating mission within existing churches, founding institutes for training, sending out local missionaries, and his commitment to social issues within the missionary context inspire our foundation.
William Carey Missions is not directly affiliated with any ecclesiastical institution or church denomination. As such, it can be regarded as a "faith mission" movement.
Workers of WCM
In the period 2021/2022, the following workers were able to contribute to the work of William Carey Missions Foundation:
Peter and Marije Fris have lived in Quevedo, Ecuador since 2017 and have been formally connected to the work of WCM since 1 October 2021. Peter and Marije lead the "Monte de los Olivos" (De Olijfberg) project in Quevedo. Peter and Marije have six children: Juda, Anna, Josia, Naema, Ruchama, and Abigaïl. Abigaïl was born in February 2022.
Nick and Nynke den Heijer live with their children Luca and Sela in Benthuizen and have been admitted to the WCM training program since 2022, with the aim of being sent out to Ecuador in early 2024.
Myrthe van Kempen worked as an educational support worker for a period of three months in 2022. She taught the children of the Fris family.
Review of 2021/2022
With great gratitude, we as a foundation look back on the establishment and start of the work in Quevedo. A great deal has been done and has happened. Much of it cannot be captured in figures. The most important thing is that our workers in the field, together with the many local workers and volunteers of "De Olijfberg," may regularly bear witness to God's work in people's hearts and may be used to lead people to Christ.
Safety
A major concern is the increasing insecurity in Quevedo. Gang violence is present throughout the city, with fatal (often young) victims occurring almost daily. Robbery, extortion, theft, and drug-related crime are everyday occurrences, including in the neighborhoods where we focus our work. The Fris family has been a victim of car theft. Yet in all of this, it can be seen that the Lord preserves and provides. In addition, it shows the great spiritual and physical need that exists in Quevedo.
Appointment and training
In 2021, Peter and Marije Fris were involved from the founding of the foundation. They were appointed by the board to oversee the work in Quevedo, Ecuador. WCM Foundation is responsible for financial, spiritual, and practical support.
In 2022, a start was made on forming an appointment and preparation process for new workers. As the process for appointing new workers, a step-by-step approach was chosen, in which access is first granted to a tailor-made training program, after which, under intensive guidance, it is assessed whether and when the workers could be sent out.
In 2022, Nick and Nynke Den Heijer were admitted to the training program, for which a deliberate choice was made for a program lasting more than a year. Many elements are addressed in this program, such as an extensive psychological assessment, mission training, Bible school, foreign internships, and theological equipping. Various experienced organizations are used for this, such as IntoMissions, Bijbelschool Gospel Missions, InTransit, and others. The training program is supervised by Peter and Marije Fris in consultation with the board.
De Olijfberg – Purchase, (re)construction and development
As of October 2021, the site "Monte de los Olivos" (De Olijfberg) was purchased, which is used for the foundation's activities on location. For the operation of the site, an Ecuadorian foundation was established, named Fundación William Carey. Peter and Marije Fris are the directors of this foundation.
Between October and December 2021, the caretaker's house was built and made functional, making use of the already existing structures.
In 2022, various construction activities were initiated:
- Security of the site was improved by raising the perimeter wall and installing electric fence security;
- An office/study room was realized;
- A classroom/activity room was realized;
- A kitchen/small shop was realized;
- Infrastructure and utilities were installed on the site;
- A large activity tent was placed;
- A simple playground was set up;
- A simple sports field was constructed.
De Olijfberg – Activities
In 2021/2022, the following activities were set up on the project site "De Olijfberg":
- Bible studies, weekly on Thursday evenings;
- Youth gatherings, every other week on Saturday afternoons and later on Sunday afternoons;
- Vacation Bible weeks;
- Women's gatherings, monthly;
- Children's club, every other week;
- Christian counseling for families and couples;
- Medical projects (education and prevention with the help of local doctors and businesses);
- Sports activities.
Support for churches
Support was provided to the local Ecuadorian congregation "El Divino Salvador" in the following areas:
- Equipping Sunday school leaders;
- Setting up Sunday school work;
- Setting up youth work;
- Equipping men in preaching;
- Catechism and baptism preparation;
- Leading the weekly services;
- Funeral services and burials;
- Shaping and equipping the church council;
- Equipping, guiding, and directing evangelism projects.
Between October 2021 and December 2022, the number of visitors grew considerably, from around 30 to 70 at the Sunday services. In total, 10 people were able to receive Holy Baptism.
Evangelism activities
WCM continually seeks to support evangelism activities in Quevedo. Campaigns have been held on various occasions, with door-to-door evangelism, flyering in the city center, and above all a great deal of relational evangelism, aimed at building lasting relationships and using these as a means of sharing the Gospel.
Another important means employed in 2022 was evangelism via the local radio station Radio Rey. For half a year, every Saturday morning at 9:30, a Biblical message was shared.
Outlook for 2023
In all the plans that are made, we confess that we are dependent on the Lord, Who must give us the opportunities and guidance for this and toward this end.
Training
The training and preparation for the sending out of the Den Heijer family will be continued. The focus for the sending out is on January 2024.
Furlough
A furlough for the Fris family is planned for the period September through November 2023. During that period, efforts will be made to ensure that all activities at "De Olijfberg" continue, through local workers and volunteers.
De Olijfberg – Activities
The activities that have been set up in previous years will be continued. In addition, new activities will be set up. These include:
- A youth center for homework guidance and counseling, every afternoon from Monday to Thursday, in cooperation with the organization Second Chances Ecuador;
- A toddler playgroup, two half-days per week, for children from low-income families;
- Sunday gatherings.
De Olijfberg – Construction activities
The plans for the further development of the buildings on the "De Olijfberg" site are:
- Installing a roof covering over the main building, to create an activity room, restrooms, and kitchen;
- Building a tiny house for shelter and accommodation purposes.
Support for churches
An evaluation will be made as to whether cooperation with existing churches will continue, and in what form.
Financial
In the year 2021/2022, the total income (revenue) of WCM amounted to € 109.860. This amount came from donations.
The expenses over these years amounted to € 96.309, of which € 91.204 was spent on the objective (94,6 %) and € 5.105 on general necessary costs for the foundation.
The balance of the foundation's assets as of 31 December 2022 was € 12.647. This amount is designated capital for future expected expenditures.
Income 2021/2022
| Periodic gifts in support of workers | € 14.297 |
| General gifts in support of workers | € 35.118 |
| Gifts in support of the "De Olijfberg" project | € 22.723 |
| Income from campaigns | € 17.760 |
| Income from sale of products | € 1.068 |
| Donated loan repayments | € 2.463 |
| Other general donations | € 16.431 |
| Total income | € 109.860 |
Expenses 2021/2022
| Training and education of workers | € 10.490 |
| Education costs for workers' children | € 480 |
| Insurance and health costs | € 5.733 |
| Living allowances for workers | € 28.276 |
| Interest and repayment | € 4.154 |
| Support for the "De Olijfberg" project | € 38.500 |
| Various other expenses on the objective | € 3.573 |
| General foundation costs | € 5.105 |
| Total expenses | € 96.309 |
Download the standard form for the publication obligation of fundraising organizations for the mandatory ANBI information on the annual figures.
Budget 2023 – Income
| Description | Annual budget |
| Expected income from fundraising activities and gifts | € 105.000 |
Budget 2023 – Expenses
| Description | Annual budget |
| Living allowance for workers, sent out and in training | € 45.140 |
| Education and training | € 14.140 |
| Furlough and travel costs | € 8.800 |
| Insurance costs | € 5.420 |
| Support for Fundación William Carey projects | € 200 |
| Repayments and interest on loans for the purchase of the "De Olijfberg" site | € 1.500 |
| Office costs and support | € 2.644 |
| Total | € 104.985 |