What is the nature and purpose of World Opportunities ministry?
World Opportunities is a Christian relief organization with
an earnest desire to give, an unfailing heart to serve, and
an unwavering commitment to love that brings real hope to
hurting people. Our vision is to fulfill our biblical mandate
to provide for the physical needs of people and proclaim the
good news of Jesus Christ, bringing hope to the hopeless.
Please click
here to learn more about World Opportunities.
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How long has World Opportunities been in operation?
World Opportunities was founded in 1961 by Dr. Roy McKeown.
He envisioned a Christian relief organization whose highest
purpose was to glorify Jesus Christ by serving the forgotten
children of the world. Now entering our 44th year of ministry,
we stand poised to impact the lives of more children than
at any time in the history of our ministry.
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Where is World Opportunities located?
World Opportunities is currently located at:
1875 Century Park East, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
We currently receive mail at P.O. Box 3011, Akron, OH 44309-3011.
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Why has World Opportunities recently changed its name and
logo?
 We
assessed the needs of the poor in the 21st century, reflected
on the Scriptures, and from this contemplation came a renewed
sense of vision, mission, and purpose. The Lord poured new
life into our vision, which is “to fulfill our biblical
mandate to provide for the physical needs of people and proclaim
the good news of Jesus Christ, bringing hope to the hopeless.”
Our new logo is a globe containing two hands. The right hand
holds up a red cross, symbolizing Christ’s victory over
sin and the medical aid we provide. The left hand is raised
and extended, offering a grain of wheat, a symbol of sustenance,
provision, and hope for a world in need. Together, our new
logo and improved vision powerfully portray the three key
components of our ministry. We believe this new identity will
guide us into an even more successful future.
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What kind of relief activities does World Opportunities
engage in?
World Opportunities conducts ongoing relief projects
in under-developed countries around the world, as well as
local projects in the U.S. To learn more about the specific
projects we are currently engaged in, please click
here.
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What kind of relief does World Opportunities provide?
World Opportunities currently receives and distributes
a wide variety of different gifts-in-kind. We accept medicines
– prescription and over-the-counter, personal hygiene
items, Christian literature, and clothing.
We do not accept medical equipment (oxygen tanks, tables,
etc.), medical supplies (gauze, tubing, etc.), vehicles, appliances,
or furniture.
If you are interested in offering donated goods, click
here.
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How does evangelism fit into World Opportunities relief
effort?
The leadership team at this ministry is committed, first
and foremost, to Jesus Christ. Out of that commitment flow
both the will and the work of our ministry. The passion we
display for our Savior is the same passion we act on as we
put shipping labels on containers full of HIV/AIDS medicine
bound for a rural farmland deep in Thailand. To learn more
about Jesus Christ, click
here.
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Since World Opportunities is a Christian relief organization,
do I have to be a Christian to receive donated goods?
Absolutely not! We offer all of the goods we receive
to all individuals that have need. Like Jesus, we make no
distinctions, but we pray earnestly that the work we perform
displays the love of Christ to those who benefit from it.
If you would like to learn more about Jesus, click
here.
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What is the advantage of a pharmaceutical license?
 In
late 2003 World Opportunities became one of the only faith-based
relief organizations in the country to fulfill the necessary
requirements to receive and distribute most non-narcotic medicines.
The primary and immensely practical advantage of possessing
a wholesaler’s license for the shipment of pharmaceutical
goods is the ability to receive and distribute medicine directly
to those in need, as opposed to sending it through a series
of numerous regulatory steps. It drastically reduces the bureaucratic
protocol demanded by shipments of a medical nature.
For example, we have been able to establish a unique presence
in Southeast Asia, where thousands of children are born in
every day to parents who are HIV positive and suffering from
AIDS. These children are born with HIV, and the viral medicines
needed to treat this disease are among the world’s most
expensive. Almost no one (a) has access to the drugs, or (b)
can get them delivered to this area of the world in the time
required to keep them effective inside the body. With this
license, World Opportunities can.
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Are contributions to World Opportunities tax-deductible?
World Opportunities is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Gifts to World Opportunities qualify as charitable contributions
and are tax-deductible. Whether or not your gifts to World
Opportunities are deductible on your tax return may depend
on your own financial situation and the tax forms you use.
Please contact the IRS or your tax advisor.
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What has happened to Dr. Roy?
Due to a long and difficult battle with a challenging
illness, Dr. Roy stepped down from his role as president of
World Opportunities in 2001.
To learn more about how Dr. Roy's leadership role has been
filled, click
here.
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