Word & Deed Ministries
Word & Deed Ministries is a registered non-profit (founded 1994) that connects Reformed and Presbyterian churches, schools, businesses, and individuals in North America with approximately 25 indigenous Christian partner organizations operating 60+ humanitarian and development projects in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, funded via donations, child sponsorships, and fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersSt. Thomas, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Word & Deed Ministries does
Word & Deed Ministries is a Canadian-founded, US-incorporated registered charity (established 1994 in Canada, US entity incorporated November 2000 with charitable status from 2003) that functions as a fundraising and program-administration bridge between Reformed and Presbyterian (NAPARC) churches, Christian schools, business groups, and individual donors in North America, and approximately 25 indigenous Christian partner organizations operating 60+ projects in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America. Its program portfolio spans Christian day schools, theological/distance-learning training, medical care (including HIV/AIDS clinics and rural hospitals), micro-loans, after-school programs, orphan and vulnerable children support, abuse prevention, agricultural and vocational training, higher education, and disaster relief.
The organization runs no proprietary software platform or technology product; its operational backbone is a WordPress-based website, online donation portal, email newsletter, quarterly Word & Deed Magazine, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), and relationship-driven field engagement. Its revenue model is donation-based: one-time gifts (online via credit card or bank transfer), recurring individual sponsorship (a defined $43 CAD / $35 USD per-month child sponsorship product), regular church and school collections, coordinated Business/Stewardship Group giving, and event fundraising (Lake-to-Lake Bike-a-thon, softball tournaments, color runs, Fall Dinner Tour, Giving Hope Christmas catalog). Most recent budget disclosures are limited to a $44,000 CAD founding-year figure (1994); current annual donation inflow is not publicly disclosed.
Word & Deed operates with a lean staff of approximately 13 employees across offices in St. Thomas, Ontario and Hudsonville, Michigan, supplemented by a board of directors (separate Canadian and US boards), an advisory committee of educators and pastors, and volunteer fundraising networks. The leadership team includes a Director of Public Relations (Rick Postma, since 2005), Director of US Operations (Heidi Pronk, since 2000), Director of Administration in Canada (Scott Koopman, since 2016), and several project managers. The organization traces its lineage to Dutch parent Woord en Daad but has operated as an autonomous Canadian charity since its own incorporation, with historically close mission and vision alignment maintained.
Word & Deed Ministries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Word & Deed Ministries
- Legal name
- Word & Deed Ministries
- Website
- https://wordanddeed.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Word & Deed Ministries is a registered non-profit (founded 1994) that connects Reformed and Presbyterian churches, schools, businesses, and individuals in North America with approximately 25 indigenous Christian partner organizations operating 60+ humanitarian and development projects in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, funded via donations, child sponsorships, and fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Word & Deed Ministries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Relief Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)
Keywords
Where Word & Deed Ministries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. Thomas
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Word & Deed Ministries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, either to specific projects or general fund. Donations can be made online via credit card or bank account.
- Child Sponsorship: Monthly recurring sponsorship program at $43 CAD / $35 USD per month, providing sustained support for children in developing countries.
- Event Fundraising: Revenue generated through organized fundraising events including bike-a-thons, softball tournaments, color runs, and dinner tours.
- Business Group Partnerships: Local business/stewardship groups collectively sponsor Word & Deed projects annually through coordinated giving.
- Church and School Partnerships: Recurring financial support from Reformed and Presbyterian churches and Christian schools through regular collections and campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Child Sponsorship Program - Monthly recurring donation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Word & Deed Ministries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Word & Deed Ministries is a Reformed Christian humanitarian relief and development organization that connects Christian churches, businesses, and individuals in North America with indigenous churches and Christian organizations in the developing world. It funds and supports 60+ ongoing projects across 17 countries, spanning child sponsorship, education, medical care, theological training, micro-loans, orphan care, after-school programs, and disaster relief. Operations are sustained by individual donations, child sponsorship subscriptions, church and school giving, business group partnerships, and event-based fundraising.
Product overview
Word & Deed Ministries is a Reformed Christian humanitarian organization operating as a unified ministry rather than a software platform. The organization connects North American Christian churches, businesses, and individuals with indigenous churches and Christian partners in developing countries through a portfolio of program types: Child Sponsorship, Christian Day Schools (La Palabra, Adoration Christian Centre, John Calvin Christian School, Musawenkosi Christian Academy), Theological Training (MINTS, Logos Ministries, Mukhanyo Distance Learning), Medical Care (Nakekela HIV/AIDS Clinic, Cubulco Hospital, Luke Society Hospital), Micro-Loans, After-School Programs, Orphan/Vulnerable Children Support, Abuse Prevention, Agricultural/Vocational Training, Disaster Relief, and Higher Education programs. The ministry is funded through donations, child sponsorship, and organized fundraising events including bike-a-thons, softball tournaments, and the annual Giving Hope Christmas catalog. Quarterly updates are provided through the Word & Deed Magazine. No AI, API, or technology product offerings exist.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Child Sponsorship Program Monthly sponsorship program connecting North American donors with individual children in developing countries at $43 CAD / $35 USD per month, supporting education, nutrition, and spiritual development of sponsored children.
- Online Donation Program General donation program allowing supporters to give one-time or recurring contributions to a specific project or to Word & Deed's general fund via the website.
- Annual Fundraising Events Recurring fundraising events across North America including the Coast-to-Coast Bike-a-thon, softball tournaments, color runs, and the annual Fall Dinner Tour featuring keynote speakers from partner organizations.
- Word & Deed Magazine Free quarterly publication providing updates on ongoing developments with partners, featuring impact stories and partner profiles for donors and supporters.
- Giving Hope Christmas Catalog Annual gift catalog campaign allowing supporters to purchase specific tangible gifts from a list of needs identified by field partners, with proceeds directed to the corresponding projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25 partner organizations in 17 countries supporting 60+ ongoing projects
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Word & Deed Ministries
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Word & Deed Ministries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Word & Deed Ministries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Mision San LucascorePartnership began in Ecuador in 2004 alongside MINTS Theological Seminary facilitated by Fred and Arlene Jonkman's mission work. Focuses on childhood education, medical assistance, and biblical education in Quininde.
- Conviventia (formerly Corporación Dios es Amor)coreColombia partnership formed in 1995 working on outskirts of four major Colombian cities. Strengthens families, creates job opportunities, and protects children through Christian education. Currently serves over 2,400 children.
- AMG Guatemala (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel)corePartnership formed in 1995 facilitating Christian education for hundreds of children in Guatemala and operating a rural hospital. Child Sponsorship Program began with this partner.
- Woord en Daad (Netherlands)coreOriginal parent organization based in Netherlands. Word & Deed began as the North American fundraising arm for Woord en Daad. After experiencing growth and establishing proper oversight, Word & Deed became a separate organization while maintaining shared mission and vision.
- MINTS International SeminarymajorPartnership for church leadership training in Ecuador and other Spanish-speaking countries. Provides biblical, Reformed training courses at affordable prices through study centers.
- Education PluscorePartner operating Christian after-school programs in four shantytowns in San José, Costa Rica. Works with children and young people at high social risk, providing Bible classes, tutoring, school supplies, soccer academies, and week-long camps. Serves over 450 children annually.
- Palabra y Hecho NicaraguacoreSince 2007, has equipped Miskitu people with training in agriculture, business practices, and Christian worldview. Agricultural training in rice, beans, cocoa and coffee farming for 120 families. Micro-loans program also offered.
- Esperance HaitimajorPartnership formed in 2018 offering micro-loans to hundreds of small business owners in southern Haiti after Hurricane Matthew. Multiple installments of $250,000 USD provided; now a self-funded micro-loan program.
- Adoration Christian CentrecoreChristian development foundation serving Haitians in Port-au-Prince. Merged with Word & Deed in 2011 after oversight committee from Canadian Reformed Churches joined. Provides K-13 education and vocational training to over 530 students.
- Children of LightcoreSchools in Indonesia merged with Word & Deed in 2013 after growing in administrative complexity since beginning in 1998. Operates schools, after-school programs, and theological education in poverty-stricken areas.
- Street Children MinistriescoreSouth Sudan ministry providing home for approximately 30 children, Christian education for about 65 children, wound care, and substance abuse counseling. Goal of reuniting children with families.
- Sudanese Reformed ChurchcorePartnership formed in 2022. Operates three Christian schools in South Sudan. Word & Deed funds infrastructure and feeding program for 1,070 students.
- Logos Ministries / Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP)corePartnership in Malawi for pastoral training and orphan care. Supports 2,100 vulnerable children with meals, school supplies, and Christian instruction. Theological training seminars for church leaders.
- Mukhanyo Theological CollegemajorPartnership for distance learning program in South Africa. Develops video distance training courses for Reformed Bible teaching. Over 70 distance groups using materials.
- Luke Society HospitalcoreHospital partnership in Dominican Republic completed in 2015. Serves area of over 100,000 people in five communities. Word & Deed assists with operational costs and equipment.
- Nigerian Reformed ChurchescorePartnership supporting education, vulnerable children, and infrastructure projects for remote Christian villages facing persecution by Muslim extremists and Fulani herdsmen. Includes Jan Peter Baan Secondary School.
- Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) KenyacorePartnership helping pay salaries of staff including librarian. Also partners with Mukhanyo Seminary extension program for pastoral biblical education in Kenya.
- Saq'beminorPartner in Guatemala operating senior's centre and organizing women's Bible study (Ruth Project) in rural Champerico community.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Word & Deed Ministries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Vision: Major Christian humanitarian organization with child sponsorship, disaster relief, and community development programs worldwide. Comparable in mission focus, donor acquisition through faith communities, and project portfolio across education, health, and economic development.
- Christian Aid: Faith-based international development organization working to eradicate poverty in developing countries. Comparable in faith-rooted funding model and partner-led implementation approach across multiple regions.
- Children International: Child sponsorship organization serving youth in poverty across multiple countries. Comparable in subscription-style child sponsorship model and emphasis on education and health outcomes.
- Compassion International: Large evangelical Christian child sponsorship and humanitarian organization operating globally. Most comparable to Word & Deed in core model (monthly child sponsorship connecting North American donors with children in developing countries) but at vastly larger scale.
- Food for the Hungry: Evangelical Christian relief and development organization with community-focused programs in developing countries. Comparable in faith-based funding model and integrated programs spanning health, education, and economic development.
- Woord en Daad: Dutch parent organization of Word & Deed, operating with shared mission and methodology. Most directly comparable as the founding institution with identical programmatic approach and partner model.
- ChildFund International: Child-focused international development organization with sponsorship model serving children across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Comparable in recurring donor sponsorship structure and field-partner approach.
- Samaritan's Purse: Evangelical Christian relief organization with strong disaster response and international development work. Comparable in faith-based bridge model connecting North American Christians with field operations in developing countries.
- Gospel for Asia: Christian mission organization supporting field workers and humanitarian projects in Asia. Comparable in bridging North American Christian donors with indigenous workers and ministries in the developing world.
Others
- Resonate Global Mission (Christian Reformed Church): Mission agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America — the same denominational family as Word & Deed's primary donor base. Comparable in Reformed theological identity and donor community, though focused on church planting rather than humanitarian relief.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Word & Deed Ministries social profiles
Digital presenceWord & Deed Ministries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Word & Deed Ministries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Word & Deed Ministries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Word & Deed Ministries M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Word & Deed Ministries
What does Word & Deed Ministries do?
Word & Deed Ministries is a Reformed Christian humanitarian relief and development organization that connects Christian churches, businesses, and individuals in North America with indigenous churches and Christian organizations in the developing world. It funds and supports 60+ ongoing projects across 17 countries, spanning child sponsorship, education, medical care, theological training, micro-loans, orphan care, after-school programs, and disaster relief. Operations are sustained by individual donations, child sponsorship subscriptions, church and school giving, business group partnerships, and event-based fundraising.
Is Word & Deed Ministries a public or private company?
Word & Deed Ministries is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Word & Deed Ministries founded?
Word & Deed Ministries was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Word & Deed Ministries based?
Word & Deed Ministries is headquartered in St. Thomas, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Word & Deed Ministries make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are child Sponsorship, event Fundraising, business Group Partnerships and church and School Partnerships.
Who are Word & Deed Ministries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Vision, Christian Aid, Children International, Compassion International, Food for the Hungry, Woord en Daad, ChildFund International, Samaritan's Purse and Gospel for Asia. Resonate Global Mission (Christian Reformed Church) is listed as an others.
Does Word & Deed Ministries have an API?
No public API is recorded for Word & Deed Ministries.
What industry is Word & Deed Ministries in?
Word & Deed Ministries's product category is Humanitarian Relief Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAF, Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries, with a secondary code of BPAGAJAE, Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International). Its NAICS code is 8132.