Letter From the President

I want to share some important—and very personal—news with you. After 25 years serving as President of Christ For the City International, I will be retiring from my leadership role on June 30.

This decision comes after much prayer and reflection. It’s hard to put into words what these past two and a half decades have meant to me. From the very beginning, when I stepped into this role in 2000, I believed that God had something powerful in store for this mission. And what He’s done since then has gone far beyond anything I could have dreamed.

When Mary and I first served as missionaries in Costa Rica in the early ’80s, we saw firsthand how God transforms lives through local ministry. That same passion followed me into this role—fueling a vision to expand into more cities, launch new initiatives, and make it possible for more people to say “yes” to missions.

By God’s grace, we’ve grown from 6 countries to 17. We’ve launched new bases across Latin America, Africa, North America, and most recently in Asia. We’ve created programs like Urban Plunge, Global Teams, and Global Ambassadors that have allowed thousands to step into service and experience transformation.

And none of this would have happened without you.

Whether you’ve supported CFCI for decades or just joined the journey, your partnership has made a difference. Your prayers, your giving, your encouragement, and your faithfulness have built this mission. Thank you—for trusting us, for believing in this work, and for being part of it.

As I step away, I do so with complete confidence in the future. Beginning July 1, Jake Hjemvick will become President of CFCI. Jake and his family first joined the mission field with CFCI in 2011, serving in El Salvador. In 2015, he became the director of our El Salvador base, where he led with compassion and vision. Then in 2020, Jake and his family moved to Omaha as he stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Jake these past several years, and I can tell you—he is a man of integrity, wisdom, and deep love for the Lord. I believe with all my heart that God has prepared him for this moment.

Mary and I will continue as faith missionaries with CFCI and support Jake and the staff in any way they so desire. The mission continues, and it is in trusted hands.

I truly believe that the best is still ahead. The Lord is not finished—and neither are we. I hope you’ll continue to stand with us, to invest in what God is doing, and to stay connected to the stories of hope and transformation still being written around the world.

From Mary and me—thank you. These 25 years have been the honor of our lives.

With gratitude and love,

Dr. Duane “Chip” Anderson