Hope for the Fatherless
In South Sudan, your compassion is rewriting the stories of orphans from desperation to new beginnings.
A Light for the Forgotten
A special event coming to Cincinnati & New York City this April
Giving Orphans Hope and a Loving Home
Join the growing community radically devoted to care for orphans and widows.
The Silent Crisis: Rescuing Orphans Like Michael
Abandoned by his father and mourning the death of his mother to AIDS, little 5-year-old Michael lived on the hard streets of Uganda, begging and stealing to survive. Brokenhearted and alone, he only knew whispers of Jesus and that he could call on his name.
When found by World Challenge partners, Michael was given his first healthy meal in months, presented with the uncompromising gospel message, and, for the first time since before his mother died, he slept in a warm, comfortable bed.
Today, Michael is thriving like so many cared for by the work of World Challenge and generous partners like you.
There are more than 150 million orphans in the world. Together we can change the lives of those just like Michael.
Global Impact
Reaching the abandoned and forgotten where conflict, poverty and persecution exist.
World Challenge Site
Upcoming in 2026
Practicing Pure Religion
73 Care Centers
Communities of belonging
Our care centers are places of rescue. Where the orphaned find family, hope grows, and their futures are bright.
Expanding Reach
Caring for over 37,000 in 37 countries.
The need is great. Each life cared for is one no longer abandoned.
Wholistic Care
A foundation for life
We are bringing practical help through food, shelter, medical care, education, and discipleship. Each life touched by the love of Jesus
Difficult Places
Bringing Jesus' Light into Darkness
Focused on war-torn, poverty stricken, unreached and persecuted places. Regions with the greatest physical and spiritual need.
Stories of Hope and Refuge
THE FOUNDATION
Providing Deeper Care than Ever Before
At World Challenge, we are committed to providing more than a temporary fix. In 2026, we are launching permanent care centers in several high-need countries to offer a safe home, dependable community, and the hope of Jesus. Through local partnerships, education, and job training, these women and children are equipped to thrive and lead in their own communities. Your one-time gift will fund these centers with the resources they need. Help us build a foundation for even deeper care in the coming years.
CONTINUOUS CARE
Continuous Care in War-torn Countries
Ivan's life was shattered by the war and then by sickness. He is now in a secure location, reunited with surviving family members, and receiving treatment because of donors like you. Your $40 monthly commitment ensures that orphans like Ivan have the treatment they need to survive and the community they need to thrive.
Stories of Hope
When the light of Jesus meets the needs of those in the darkness, stories of hope begin
A Widow’s Hope for Three Orphans
Samueline’s Story When our partner in Madagascar met Samueline, she was carrying an overwhelming burden. As a 54-year-old widow, she was raising her three orphaned granddaughters alone: a six-year-old and one-year-old twins. Their mother tragically died one month after the twins were born, leaving
Breaking the Chains of Malnutrition
Your generosity is reaching the poorest nations—rewriting orphan stories with hope for their future.
Transforming Trauma into Faith
In Iraq’s refugee camps, widows scarred by unimaginable loss are encountering the healing love of Christ
Open Arms for Abandoned Children
With your support, orphans in Vietnam are becoming part of God’s family
Fleeing to Survive: Venezuelan Families Escape and Start Again
Your generosity is rebuilding the lives of Venezuelan women and children across the border. Long before U.S. forces captured Venezuelan dictator Maduro, nearly 8 million Venezuelans had already fled their country to escape widespread poverty and violence. Since 2014, the country has been impacted by
The Global Impact of Pure Religion
War, poverty, and persecution have displaced millions of orphans and widows. But beyond survival, we are witnessing transformation. Through your generosity, hundreds have given their lives to Christ—many taking the courageous step of baptism as a public declaration of faith, even in hostile environments.
A Beacon of Hope amid Nigeria’s Genocide
Christians are rescuing orphans and widows in the devastating aftermath of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists
Healing the Leper’s Heart
“Leprosy took away my job, my family, and my respect. I was cast aside by society. In the darkness of my pain, I even wanted to end my life.” Koteswaramma lost everything when she was diagnosed with leprosy. An already devastating medical condition was made so much worse by the cultural stigma
God Never Forgets
One little orphaned boy heard about God years ago, and now his adopted family is helping him grow in Christ. As the end of the year draws close, we want to appreciate the incredible testimonies that we’re receiving and thank you for your prayers and support. Your commitment to James 1:27 in 2025 has
A Legacy of Trust You Can Count On
For over 50 years, World Challenge has been committed to meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the world's most vulnerable. Founded by the late David Wilkerson, our mission has always been to empower local, trusted partners around the world.
We believe in stewardship and transparency, ensuring your gift goes directly to where it's needed most. When you give, you join a legacy of faithfulness that is changing the world one life at a time.
Practicing Pure Religion by Caring for the Orphan and Widow
Your Questions, Answered
World Challenge is a non-profit ministry founded by David Wilkerson over 50 years ago. We are committed to fulfilling the command of James 1:27 by caring for orphans and widows in their distress and empowering local partners to share the love of Jesus in the world's most difficult places.
James 1:27 states that “Pure religion is this: caring for orphans and widows in their distress…” We believe that standing with these vulnerable individuals and providing for them physically and spiritually is as close to God’s heart as it gets. We are radically devoted to working with local ministries around the world to provide critical care for these people.
When a crisis hits, widows and orphans can't wait. Your one-time gift makes sure they don't have to. Because of your generosity, we can equip our local partners with food, medical supplies, and emergency shelter as soon as they need it. And when the needs in a region run deeper, your gift goes further, helping to furnish buildings, provide for outreach, or even establish permanent facilities in places like Pakistan and Ukraine.
People who choose to give monthly are the lifeblood of our work with orphans and widows. By starting a $40/month gift, you increase our ability to care for one more orphan or one more widow. This gift provides the necessary shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and community for them to flourish! Consider starting or increasing your monthly gift now to extend the love of Jesus to more vulnerable lives around the world.
Yes, he did! You may have heard about his story through the book or movie The Cross and the Switchblade. This Pennsylvanian pastor wanted to reach out to people in inner city New York, no matter how “on the fringes” they seemed. David believed every soul needed to hear the Gospel and learn to follow Jesus. We continue his legacy today by providing that care for orphans and widows who are on the most extreme fringes of the world.
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Newsletter & Daily Devotional
What You Will Receive:
When you sign up to receive our daily devotional or email newsletter, you can expect to receive regular encouragement in your walk with Christ. The devotions are curated from the writings and sermons of David Wilkerson and Gary Wilkerson.
Our Mission
We seek to rescue orphans and widows from a life of abandonment, poverty, and hunger. By bringing them into loving home, renewed health, emotional well-being, a hope for the future and most of all a new friendship with Jesus.
Where spiritual and material poverty overlap and Christians are ostracized and persecuted, we want to care for orphans and widows. Why? Because we believe that by caring for the most needy we can shine the light of the Gospel that can change cultures for generations.
For Your Gift
The Generation That Seeks the Lord by Gary Wilkerson
Explore nine Psalms with Gary Wilkerson to find encouragement for life’s challenges. Discover timeless truths and connect with God’s unwavering care, just like King David.
*A portion of your gift will go to our fund to help orphans and widows in need. Hard copy books currently can only be shipped within the United States. Digital versions are available.
Please note: Your donation receipt will reflect only the amount of your contribution exceeding the book’s fair market value of $22.99.
