Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision. This organization is a “Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.”
Stearns holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1977 to 1985, he held various roles with Parker Brothers Games, culminating in his appointment as president in 1984. In 1985, he became a vice president at The Franklin Mint, then joined Lenox in 1987 as president of Lenox Collections. In 1995, Stearns was named president and chief executive officer of Lenox Inc., overseeing $500 million in annual sales. He joined World Vision as president in 1998.
-
Question: How much money does World Vision raise every year?
Answer: Worldwide, World Vision raises about $2 billion annually; the U.S. office,
which I head up, raises about half of the total. -
Question: Is this the 80/20 rule where twenty percent of the people send in eighty percent of the money or are donations more spread out?
Answer: World Vision’s strength is that we are supported by hundreds of
thousands of faithful people who give us about a dollar a day by sponsoring
children. Our “major donors” account for less than five percent of our total
income. Also, for a non-profit, we have quite a diversified portfolio of
revenue. Just over forty percent is cash from private citizens; thirty percent is
government grants in food and cash; and about thirty percent are products
donated from corporation–what we call “gifts-in-kind.” -
Question: You had a nearly seven-figure salary, a corporate Jaguar, moved
and took a seventy-five percent cut in pay. Why did you leave the corporate sector in
1998 after twenty-three years to run an international Christian humanitarian
organization?Answer: It wasn’t something I planned. At the time, I didn’t even want the job. I had been a donor to World Vision for fifteen years when, through a long series
of circumstances, I was approached by World Vision, interviewed and offered
the position. As a committed Christian, I felt I couldn’t say no. When God
gives you an opportunity to serve, you obey. I had “talked the talk” of
being a Christian for many years, now I needed to “walk the walk.” It has
turned out to be the greatest privilege of my life to serve the poorest of
the poor in Christ’s name. -
Question: What was the biggest adjustment to your new role?
Answer: There have been lots of adjustments. Business travel now means
getting shots and medicine for yellow fever, malaria, typhoid and
hepatitis. I used to travel to London, Paris and Milan, sharing $1,000
dinners with the heads of other luxury goods companies. Now I’m visiting
desperate people in places like Ethiopia, India, Peru and Uganda. I’m
more likely to be visiting garbage dumps, brothels, and refugee camps than
five-star hotels. -
Question: What are the greatest differences and similarities between running a major
corporation and running a large non-profit?Answer: They are both businesses with revenues, expenses, and a bottom line. Both
have marketing, sales, finance, IT, HR, strategy, etc. Perhaps the biggest
difference is that our bottom line is changed lives–money is simply a
means to that end. Our shareholders are the poor, and our donors who make
our work possible. -
Question:Are you trying to end poverty or evangelize Christianity?
Answer: As a Christian organization, we are motivated by our commitment to Christ
to love our neighbors and care for the less fortunate. That’s why we do
what we do. We don’t proselytize. We do not force our religious beliefs
on anyone, and we don’t discriminate in our delivery of aid in any way. If
the people we serve want to know why we are there, we tell them. St.
Francis once said: “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if
necessary.” Love put into action is a compelling and attractive worldview. -
Question:How can people who do not want to radically change their lives make a
difference in the lives of the poor?Answer:To really change the world, values must change. Consider the civil rights
movement. Racial discrimination was once openly accepted in the United
States. Today it is unacceptable to our mainstream culture. Very few of
us are civil rights activists, but we let our values speak in our work
places, our schools and to our elected officials.Today, we live in a world that tolerates extreme poverty much like racism
was tolerated fifty-plus years ago. We can all become people determined to do
something to change the world. We can speak up, we can volunteer and we
can give. Ending extreme poverty will take money, political and moral
will, and a shift in our value system. When enough ordinary people embrace
these issues, things will begin to change. Margaret Mead once said: “Never
doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -
Question: In the eyes of God, do you think someone who goes to Africa and helps AIDS
victims is better or worse than someone who writes a check every month?Answer:I can’t speak for God, but I believe God is pleased whenever anyone does
something out of love to help the downtrodden. Hands, hearts, and
checkbooks are all vital. If we all just did a little–our part–we
could change the world. -
Question:What keeps you awake at night as the CEO of World Vision?
Answer:If I thought every moment about the incredible suffering around the world I
would never sleep. I worry about keeping the covenant we have with the
poor and with our donors. It is a very sacred responsibility. -
Question: What are biggest hurdles to alleviating poverty?
Answer:One word: apathy. The very frustrating part is that we actually have the
knowledge and the ability to end most extreme poverty. The world just
doesn’t care enough to do it. The U.S. government has spent more than $400
billion on the war in Iraq to date.Our annual humanitarian assistance
budget for the whole world is only about $21 billion. We spend less than a half
percent of our federal budget on humanitarian assistance and less than two
percent of private charitable giving goes to international causes. People
and governments make choices based on their priorities. Poverty is still
not a high priority for the world. -
Question: What’s the biggest obstacle to get rich people to care about poor people?
Answer: The obstacle is that poverty is often not personal. If your next-door neighbor’s child was dying and you
could save her for $100, you wouldn’t think twice. But a child 10,000 miles
away whom you have never met, that’s just different.About 29,000 kids die every day of preventable causes–29,000! These kids
have names and faces, hopes and dreams. Their parents love them as much as
we love our kids. We’ve got to make poverty personal. Stalin once said:
“A million deaths is a statistic, one death is a tragedy.” We must try to
see the face of the one child. -
Question: Why is World Vision so successful at fund raising?
Answer: The real secret of our fundraising is the notion of child
sponsorship. We allow people to see the face of that one child – we make
that child real to them. It is very difficult to raise money for poverty
eradication – much easier to raise money to help a specific child. It
makes it personal.Of course we also have fiendishly clever and committed
marketing people who really care about their cause. We also represent an
amazingly compelling selling proposition: Where else can you spend your
money and know that you may have saved a life, or changed the world for the
better? -
Question: How has technology affected World Vision’s work?
Answer: Not enough. I think we have just scratched the surface in using technology
and the Internet to change the values of Americans and to raise money for
our cause. Technology can make this abstract and far away notion of global
poverty real. We can take you straight to Africa via the web and let you
meet your sponsored child. We can show you the village celebration when a
drilling rig strikes clean water for the first time, or a clinic or school
is dedicated. We are beginning to experiment with techniques to bring this
stuff to life for people. Maybe some of your readers could help us. -
Question: What advice would you give to someone reading this who is considering
leaving a corporate job to “change the world?”Answer:There’s a tendency among those uninformed about global poverty to say,
“This ain’t rocket science. People are hungry; let’s feed them.” What they
don’t realize is that the deeper you get into relief and development, you
realize it really is rocket science. Problems like poverty, disease and
hunger are humanity’s most intractable problems. They haven’t been solved
in 5,000 years, and they won’t be solved overnight.We need to
systematically address a wide range of social, environmental, cultural,
political, and religious issues. But the good news is that we do have the
answers. Now, we just need the resolve to make poverty reduction a
priority and persevere until we see results. We can fix this; we really
can. -
Question: Do the efforts of rock stars and movie stars really help alleviate poverty
and AIDS or are these people just seeking more publicity to sell albums?Answer: They make a difference. Given the number of celebrities in
our world it is actually shocking that so few of them are using their
celebrity to make a difference. Bono is amazing. He has perhaps done more
for the poor than anyone in the last century. I call him “Martin Luther
Bono” because he has really been the leader of our movement.Bill and Melinda Gates are changing the global landscape for health and
development. The media rarely want to talk to me about poverty, but many
reporters gush at the chance to talk with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, or
Oprah. That’s just the way it is. I welcome celebrities who really want
to make a difference. -
Question: How do you want World Vision to be perceived twenty-five years from now?
Answer: I want World Vision to be the best at what we do. There is too much at
stake to be anything less. If it could be said of us that we gave the poor
a voice, that we provoked the rich and the powerful to action and that we
gave hope to people trapped in hopelessness, I would be deeply gratified.
My favorite Bible passage is from the book of Job. It would make a
wonderful epitaph for World Vision:Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,
because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had
none to assist him.The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
I broke the fangs of the wicked; and snatched the victims from their teeth.
Mr. Stearns is the real deal and I thank you for posting such a great interview.
Guy,
This was a great post. I love your blog and how you are using your platform to “help change the world”.
Could you do a follow-up post on question 13? It would be interesting to see your readers views on how we can leverage technology to “open source” the donation process and allow users to interact in the organization’s change process/events.
Check out what we are doing on www.projecttomorrow.org. We are launching memberships this week and it should be exciting. It has an interesting sustainable social entrepreneurial twist to it. I think you will like it.
Thanks for this great interview. I’ve been sponsoring World Vision child for many years, and they seem to be an outstanding organization.
Thank you for this great interview. It was great to hear you ask many of the questions that always run through people’s minds when thinking about donating to an organization like World Vision.
As a professor of business and economics at a Christian college, I believe it is vital that the Church take the lead in changing the world of poverty. Thankfully, I believe that the ability and willingness to do so is coming. Students today are becoming motivated to make a difference, and follow Jesus’ call to serve the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed.
Guy that’s an awesome interview. Simply the fact that the US spends over $400 Billion annually on the war in Iraq shows our lack of priority in solving some of the major world issues.
An inspiring and wonderful interview. We could use a few more in this world like Mr. Stearns.
Interview With World Vision President
Heres a great interview with the President of World Vision, Richard Stearns. (HT: Guy Kawasaki)
I always find it inspiring to read about guys who give up millions to follow the leading of God. Jesus is truly a masterful teacher and leader.
Som…
Thanks for the interview. It is a great look into the heart of the organization and see they are not just out to make money for themselves.
Thank you for posting the interview. I have supported a child through this organization for many years. I am so glad to hear more about how World Vision is run. It’s so easy to get consumed with our own problems and forget about those who really need our help.
Thanks for sharing this interview. Great stuff. I’ve been a contributor to a similar organization (Compassion International) for many years. The Job passage hit home to me.
Stearns has long been a hero of mine for his clarity and congruence. He, too, is a fan of social enterprises, non-profit and for profit. Following the Sufi saying, “God makes only co-equal partners.”
Bet he’s appreciate the way some are supporting the poorest of the poor move up the economic ladder to a better life, such as the story today about LaborFair that Chris Colin offers in today’s SFGate
Great interview Guy. I’ve been trying to connect with a couple World Vision employees that are on MyChurch.org – we would love to have some sort of formal partnership with world-class parachurch organizations like World Vision.
Imagine the collaborative power of thousands of networked churches tackling social justice issues together.
I agree that parachurches, non-profits, and ministries have not tapped into the Internet effectively to change values and raise funds. We’re trying to change that at MyChurch, and I would love to get in touch with Richard Stearns.
(we recently setup a special social network for David Batstone’s Not for Sale Campaign to raise awareness for human trafficking: mychurch.org/notforsalecampaign)
Guy-
Great post, as always.
World Vision is one of a handful of organizations that has built the trust of individuals, businesses, and governments the world over. They do this by faithfully serving the poorest of the poor, stepping in quickly and quietly when disasters occur, and making concrete, measurable differences in people’s lives.
Mr. Stearns talks about the need to change our values and priorities. One key step we can all take is to redefine what it means to be “rich” or “poor”.
Compared to much of the world, almost every adult in the U.S. is rich. Even if we see ourselves as middle class, we have so much more disposable income than billions of people in other lands.
It only takes a few dollars a day to feed a family in Africa or Asia. What if each one of us bought one less meal at McDonald’s each week for this month, or one less weekly Starbucks grande, and instead sent that $20-30 to a group such as World Vision? Each of us would keep a family alive for this month. And maybe next month?
For those of us with kids, this is a great way to model living with an outward focus on those less fortunate. If we want to make the world to be a better place for our kids, then this is one way to show them how to live it, as we live it ourselves.
I appreciate the previous commenter’s who said they already support Word Vision kids. As with Mr. Stearns, they are “walking the walk”.
I humbly suggest that each us ought to be doing the same, in some way, to help the poorest of the poor. If not with World Vision, find some other group with whom you can be personally involved. And I do emphasize the “personal” aspect. Government has a role, as does business, but I think it’s up to us, each one of us, individually, to take a stand, make a difference, write a check, or go.
Rick
Thanks Guy for a great interview. I come from a corporate background and now lead communications and marketing for a global non-profit who focus on developing leaders, particularly among the disenfranchised around. Just to be reminded that there are others and that this is a worthy burden to carry – that was worth the read. Thanks.
Rich is a first rate guy who is extremely humble in person. He embodies the servant character of WV.
If you are establishing a “series”, you may want to interview Millard Fuller, the Founder of Habitat for Humanity, who has now started another non-profit building venture focused in the Katrina area. Talk about changing the world…
Thank you, Guy. Putting these kinds of stories out front and increasing the chance that they will receive the coverage they deserve is one of the primary reasons that you, sir, are one of my heros. A guy could do much worse than to grow up to be like Guy Kawasaki.
Smittie
Great interview Guy. What I loved most about it was the eternal optimism that Mr. Stearns has – defeating poverty is something that we can actually do tangibly.
I have been listening to Jeffrey Sachs and his speeches on the BBC for the past 5 weeks. He also speaks with the same kind of optimism and passion for the world. Some of your readers might be interested in that as well.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2007/
Thanks for the great blog!
Thank you for the great interview. I appreciate some of the transparency and honesty in it.
One question: As someone who seeks to follow Jesus, what does Mr. Stearns think about this quote from Jesus:
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”
I saw some people got the idea that Mr. Stearns’ goal was to erradicate poverty. But if that were the case, how would that work? If Jesus says, “the poor you will always have with you…”, then wouldn’t that vision go against the very motivation (Jesus) of World Vision.
I made a 2-minute video about it, if you’d like to see:
Instead of World Vision subsidizing totalitarian governments which keep their citizens in perpetual poverty, I believe Jesus would want regime change in those countries like we are currently doing in Iraq.
It’s easy to donate a few dollars or put on a concert and feel good about doing something to maintain the status quo. It is quite another thing to actually change a country from being ruled by a ruthless dictator to one that is own and governed by its people.
As a former corporate big shot, I would think Stearns would do everything in his power to introduce capitalism to Ethopia, etc. Capitalism is working wonders in China and India…even Vietnam.
The question is this: Does every person on this planet have a right to live the American life style and dream? I say yes and would like to think Jesus would as well.
Good post. Comment to Jerry, below …
Friend, you sound like a Red Brigade ideo-thug spouting nonsense like “we will kill you to set you free.”
Even in the short term it’s a little impractical to consider invading and forcibly democratizing 10-20 totalitarian regimes around the world. Current experience in Iraq suggests that in long term, it doesn’t work. And a “former corporate big shot,” I should think you would know enough about finance to see the imbalance between $400 billion spent on something that’s patently not working, and $20 billion spent on something that has at least some notable successes.
World Vision doesn’t support governments; it tried to build up communities.
>>Even in the short term it’s a little impractical to consider invading and forcibly democratizing 10-20 totalitarian regimes around the world.
You don’t always have to invade a country for a change in regime: Look at China or India.
>>Current experience in Iraq suggests that in long term, it doesn’t work.
6 is years is long term? Good thing you weren’t around after the American Revolution: It took us nearly a decade after the war to get our act together; After WWII. It took 7+ years to get Germany and Japan on the right footing.
>>World Vision doesn’t support governments; it tried to build up communities>>
What’s the point of building communities under brutal dictatorships? It’s cruel and inhumane.
You have not answered my original question:
Do people in Ethopia, Iraq or similar country have a right to live their lives the way you do in the United States?
Thanks for this post, Guy. Keep up the great work! These are conversations worthy of our time and attention.
“The question is this: Does every person on this planet have a right to live the American life style and dream? I say yes and would like to think Jesus would as well.”
I disagree…. I don’t think Jesus sees the American lifestyle is the ideal.
>>I disagree…. I don’t think Jesus sees the American lifestyle is the ideal.
Maybe the Ethopian, North Korean or Iranian way of life is more to your liking: At least you have a life style choice and the freedom to live your life in accordance with teachings of Jesus or not.
You want to really change the world? I mean long lasting, dramatic change that benefits every living man, woman and child on this planet?
Do everything in your power to end totalitarian governments by 2017.
Stop wasting your money and efforts on band-aids which ease your guilt for cashing in your stock options and living better than anyone else in the history of mankind.
I will even help you get your thinking on the right path:
What is the first thing you would do to bring freedom to the people of the prison nation of North Korea?
I’m not trying to proselytize or Bible-thump or engage in a useless religious debate, but I just have to say a couple things…
Jesus undoubtedly instructed his followers to take care of the poor and needy:
Luke 14:13 – when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind
Matthew 19:21 – If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me
Luke 12:33 – Sell your possessions and give to the poor
Jesus did not advocate overthrowing the totalitarian Roman government of His day. He instructed us to help the orphans and widows. Taking Mark 14:7 out of context to claim that Christians shouldn’t address extreme poverty is a stretch at best…
Social justice is not about giving to feel better about yourself. World Vision (and other organizations) have their eye on the prize and exemplify what it means to follow Jesus’ teachings.
My 2 cents and I will now step off my soapbox.
joe
Jerry, you are flame baiting. Anyway, as other people has pointed out, World Vision’s work is to support communities, not governments.
There are some people that think change will come from the top: let’s change a government and everything else will follow. That somewhat relies on the notion of big government influencing everything down the line. As a classical liberal – Libertarian on US terms – I think that ultimately individuals make their own destiny and influence government.
Individuals do not need liberators, but they will set themselves free. World vision’s work provide people with tools for escaping poverty: access to health, education and the opportunity to start their own businesses. I believe that it is a much more powerful way of allowing people to achieve their potential.
Finally, I think that everybody has the right to achieve their own dream life style. For some it will be the American dream, for others something different. Diversity is a great thing, you know.
Thanks Guy for posting such an inspirational interview. It made me happy to be a NZ World Vision supporter.
What Does It Take?
I just read the results of a client’s survey that, among other things, was seeking to identify the issues that respondents regard as crucial to the well-being of the country.Out of eighteen issues offered to a constituency that tilted l
Guy, thanks for the excellent interviews. It is refreshing to read from such a wide range of individuals who take part in such a variety of occupations.
Joe, you weren’t Bible-thumping, you were making a valid point.
Jerry, you need to pick up Robert Dahl’s book On Democracy.
Martin Luther Bono
Thats what Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, calls Bono in an interview posted today on Guy Kawasakis blog:
Given the number of celebrities in our world it is actually shocking that so few of them are using their celebrity to ma…
“Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Love put into action is a compelling and attractive worldview.”
This is a beautiful quote that I have saved onto my computer and will use in the future.
I am not Christian, nor am I very religious at all, but when people criticize religion, I bring up the organizations like World Vision, and other charitable organizations associated with organized religion as tangible proof that religion, whether it’s belief in God, Christ (or both) or any of the others does inspire(in the root sense of the word) people to do good. Thanks for highlighting it with this interview.
I think we must all think about ways to change our values and the values of those around us to a culture of positive engagement with others rather than violence and war-mongering.
The Start
Giving is a key component to my life. I believe and it has become evident to me that what you sow is what you reap. This goes both for the good and the bad. If I put out good, it
Final post:
You can’t escape poverty when your benevolent dictator has his boot on your neck.
I thought the point of this blog was to discuss innovative, out-of-the-box ways of changing the world for the better.
Each year more and more people are free than at any other time in human history. This is a direct result of the United States for the past 200+ years pushing our ideals: whether its basic human rights, charitable activities like World Vision, free trade, or even military action to achieve the those goals.
Tyranny is the root cause poverty. Shouldn’t we treat this cancer on the human condition just as we would for breast cancer, AIDS or global warming?
Imagine the economic engine that would be unleashed if all 4+ billion on this planet were free.
Guy,
Great initerview. I have a lot of respect for this hometown organizaation in Southern California and I have a couple of good friends who have worked for them in Africa and Asia.
Good work, Guy.
best,
Jim Forbes
Amazing article, Guy!
I’m a child sponsor and I wish WorlVision could allow us to do more online. Though I can email my sponsored child, a response from him still takes 3-4 months. Moreover, I still have to get a paper statement of my annual contributions. It would be great if an online one were available.
Two more things to work on…
Edgar.
p.s. Great Interview.
Love First, Words Second
From a recent interview by Guy Kawasaki with Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, speaking on acting in love to build trust and make an impact:
Question:Are you trying to end poverty or evangelize Christianity?
Answer: As a Christian organizati…
Guy,
Thank you for stepping outside your norm — or maybe not, for World Vision’s message and methods are universal.
Yes, the poor will always be among us. I’m pretty sure Christ’s statement that the poor will always be with us doesn’t mean that we should not reach out to help. We’re blessed that people like Mr. Stearns and Bono won’t give up.
My wife and I are supporting our third child through World Vision and each year we enjoy picking out in whose name we will give the gift of a chicken or goat.
World Vision and Mr. Stearns are dear to our hearts.
No other global cause has more relevance and importance. Poverty and hunger are not political issues, only the potential solutions as people want the credit. World Vision provides as effective a solution as currently exists, they just need more support and advocacy.
Wonderful interview, thanks for using your platform to spread the gospel.
We Tolerate Extreme Poverty
Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, in a Q&A with Guy Kawasaki: “Today, we live in a world that tolerates extreme poverty much like racism was tolerated 50+ years ago. We can all become people determined to do something to…
Questions with Richard Stearns, President of World Vision
Posted a few weeks ago: Guy Kawasaki interviews Richard Stearns – President of World Vision. I resonate with many of Richard Stearns comments and experiences.
On Leaving a Highly Paid Corporate Sector Position:
As a committed Christian, I felt I could…
A question about this question: You had a nearly seven-figure salary, a corporate Jaguar, moved and took a seventy-five percent cut in pay. Why did you leave the corporate sector in 1998 after twenty-three years to run an international Christian humanitarian organization?
Is it truly amazing that Stearns gave up his nearly 7-figure paycheck and Jaguar to trade it in for a considerably high 6-figure salary–one of the highest in the Christian humanitarian non-profit sector? Is this an example of solidarity with the poor?
Blessings on a gracious heart that would follow the call to lead this ministry. I’d love to see him take a cut in salary and stand even more closely to the lives of the people he serves.
PS to Mr. Stearns: I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of WV and their wonderful impact to the children of this world– they are truly following the calling that Jesus Christ has set before Christians.
But, there is so much internal strife that can no longer be ignored. A house divided against itself will fall, and I would hate to see such a wonderful organization be brought down because of a few bad apples who work there who are poisoning the whole harvest.
I would encourage you to evaluate the managers who mis-use department funds (donor dollars) on expensive hotels, those who promote their own personal businesses at work, and those who give promotions to employees based on their external friendships and favors from employer to employee (and vice versa).
I do not believe this was Bob Pierce’s original vision. Please be true to his cause and maintain all of the good and the true that WV originally stood for. Go with the stregnth of Christ and encourage those who are not working with the spirit of the WV to find work elsewhere. World Vision is too special and too needed to be corrupted in this awful manner.
Humble regards,
anonymous
I am terribly disappointed to learn Mr Stearn’s moral equivlance out weighs his common sense or even his knoweledge of G-d’s word.
It’s a pity sir, that you cannot morally differntiate between those who have consistently made painful concessions, who have thrown their own people out of their homes and those who teach their children that it is noble to kill as many Jews as possible while committing homicide bombing.
Can you even count the number useless peace treaties Israel has made with the Palestinians? Please tell me sir, how many of these treaties that were signed for all the world to see, have been honored?
In your statement you said: “As evangelical Christians, we embrace the biblical promise to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you.” (Genesis 12:3). And precisely as evangelical Christians committed to the full teaching of the Scriptures, we know that blessing and loving people (including Jews and the present State of Israel) does not mean withholding criticism when it is warranted. Genuine love and genuine blessing means acting in ways that promote the genuine and long-term well being of our neighbors. Perhaps the best way we can bless Israel is to encourage her to remember, as she deals with her neighbor Palestinians, the profound teaching on justice that the Hebrew prophets proclaimed so forcefully as an inestimably precious gift to the whole world.”
You forgot the entire quote, the “full teaching” Mr Stearns. It goes like this: I will bless those who bless you … and whoever curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3)]
If there was a way for me to continue my support for Beberly Solayo without sending you another dime I would do it.
Marya Steiner