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
And all Jim could feel was hate.
Fifty years of bitterness, grief, and unprocessed trauma—gone in a moment.
“The students were surprised when we saw some of the same individuals at different missions,” Dawn reflected. “They were challenged to think beyond what they saw and consider what life might really be like for these families. Watching them jump in, serve, and interact with both the workers and those in need was a joy.”
For Trudie, 16, the experience was a powerful reminder of the joy in serving Jesus.
Jonathan, the Omaha Urban Plunge facilitator, saw a shift happen. “By the end of the trip, they truly became the hands and feet of Jesus—not just to the people they served in Omaha, but to each other,” he said. “I believe they will carry that attitude back to their school and community in Iowa.”
Adrian saw the power of prayer in a whole new way, understanding that hurt is real, but so is hope—and we’re meant to be part of that hope.
Now is your chance to experience the life-changing work of Christ For the City International in person! From June 26-30, we invite you to join us in El Salvador to witness firsthand the incredible transformation happening through our ministries. But hurry—
This is more than just a trip. It’s an invitation to see the vision and join the mission. Whether you go, give, or pray, there is a place for you in the story God is writing in El Salvador—and we’d love for you to be part of it.
“To hear an inmate sentenced for murder confess that he is forgiven in Christ—this has been one of the most powerful moments I have witnessed,” shares Mubaiwa Mangwende, CFCI Zimbabwe’s base director.
These marked Bibles are now being used in rural and urban communities—and even reaching Kenya and Zambia. With plans to impact over 4,000 inmates, the ministry needs continued prayer and support, especially for transportation to reach more prisons and remote villages.
After we prayed, he told me he finally felt happy and relieved, like he could wake up in peace instead of sadness,” Riley said. “It gave me so much joy knowing the Lord worked through me to comfort him.
“The work being done here is not only helpful but life-changing,” Riley said. “Many people have so little, but what we provide gives them a way out of physical and spiritual poverty. The joy on their faces makes every bit of effort worth it.”
“These women are fighting to rise above vulnerability and become independent,” said Amos, the CFCI Mali Director. “Seeing them work with joy and efficiency, knowing they are building a better future, is truly inspiring. We pray that this support continues so even more women in Mali can find hope and dignity through this program.”
For Eleanore Hyvonen, missions never was just a calling—it’s a way of life. From a young age, she knew she was meant to serve the Lord, not just in words, but through action. That passion became a reality when she first connected with Christ For the City International through an internship at Wheaton College.
But missions isn’t just about the places we go—they’re about the people we meet, the lives we impact, and the hope we share. Through Global Teams, Eleanore has seen the power of faith in action, the beauty of communities coming together, and the undeniable truth that when Christ is at the center, lives are changed forever.
When Xavier, a college student from Pennsylvania, felt the call to serve internationally, he had no idea where to start. With limited time between classes, he needed an opportunity that fit his schedule while allowing him to make a real impact. That’s when he found Christ For the City International.
Xavier also joined local pastors for street evangelism, sparking deep conversations about faith and leading Bible studies for young adults. At a healing with horses program, he saw the incredible impact of therapy animals—helping disabled youth improve their speech and mobility. And on his final day in Zimbabwe, he experienced a moment he’ll never forget—three boys at the orphanage gave their lives to Jesus.
