To make a global impact for Christ, we need ministry partners all over the world. One of our CRBC partners, Crio International, is making a dramatic difference by caring for orphans and building churches in vulnerable communities in Africa. By equipping local church leaders, Crio’s mission is simple: providing hope and sustainable change to the people of Africa. Not only do I love Crio’s ministry strategy, their co-founder, Janice Hesser, is my mom and I can honestly say she has spent her life serving others. Recently, we had the chance to talk about the scope of Crio’s ministry in Africa and I was so encouraged by their growth and the impact they are making.
Crio International founders: President Dr. Ron Hesser and his wife, Janice.
Heather: When did you launch Crio International and what was the catalyst behind it?
Janice: Crio began in 1999 out of a friendship my husband Ron and I had with an African pastor. As a child, I told the Lord I would go to the people of Africa...so it was a lifelong dream for me!
How has Crio changed over the years?
Our vision has grown! We added church planting and also began building orphanages, which led to sponsorship programs, which led to starting schools.
That is amazing! How many churches and orphanages does Crio now support?
Over 1,000 churches in 39 nations, 9 orphanages, 13 orphan projects, numerous nursery schools, 24 primary schools, one High school, one Junior College and 24 Bible Colleges.
The scope of Crio’s influence is incredible! This is a God-sized dream that you haven’t been able to accomplish without donors and churches joining your cause. How has CRBC partnered with Crio?
Several individual CRBC families are sponsoring 16 orphans daily, and the church as a whole helped furnish an orphanage in Liberia, completed an orphanage building in Kenya, and purchased a sound system/keyboard for a church in Kenya.
As you know, we love the emphasis on orphan care and sponsor orphans through Crio. What specific needs are met through the child sponsorship program?
Our child sponsorship program provides school fees and uniforms, food, additional clothing, dental hygiene aids, minor medical needs, blankets and mosquito nets. We are passionate about this program because education empowers the next generation and sets them on a solid path otherwise not possible.
What are some of Crio’s greatest needs?
Definitely monthly sponsors! $30 a month supports a primary school student, $50 a month a secondary school student, and one-time or monthly general gifts help us complete orphanage projects. 100% goes directly to the child and we send updates to the monthly sponsors, which we like to call “spiritual parents”. Of course, we would love prayer for our pastors, caretakers and children in Africa.
CRBC is grateful to partner with amazing, life-changing ministries like Crio International.
to learn more or make a donation visit criointernational.org.
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!