Appointment and Transition
On January 23, 2023, World Renew Canada Acting Board Chair Dennis DeGroot announced that the Canadian Board of Directors had approved Jamie McIntosh to the office of Executive Director for Canada. At the time of the announcement, McIntosh was scheduled to be introduced to the Christian Reformed Church of North America’s Council of Delegates in May, with the decision to be ratified by the denomination’s governing Synod in June.
McIntosh transitioned into the Canadian directorship over a two‑month period beginning February 16. He succeeded Ida Kaastra Mutoigo, who held the role from 2006 until 2022, and Kenneth Kim (Director – International Disaster Response), who graciously stepped into the role in an interim capacity and continued through the transition period before returning to his previous position.
Experience and Leadership Background
McIntosh holds an undergraduate degree in pastoral studies from North Central University, a graduate degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford, and has completed leadership training through Genesis Fellowship, Arrow Leadership, and Africa Board Fellowship.
“We are excited to have a dynamic and inspired person such as Jamie McIntosh in this executive co‑leadership role, leading us into what we know to be a challenging and exciting time in our world as we seek to meet the urgent needs for justice and mercy, reconciliation, and restoration, bringing to life Christ’s Kingdom realities for the world’s most vulnerable,” said DeGroot.
McIntosh works alongside Carol Bremer‑Bennett, Executive Director for World Renew in the United States. His extensive experience in international humanitarian, development, and justice work includes more than 25 years of organizational leadership in pastoral and executive roles in Canada and the United States. His professional activities also include board and advisory roles with child development, entrepreneurship, and community health organizations around the world. He is perhaps best known to many in Canada’s Christian community as the founder of International Justice Mission Canada.
Vision for World Renew Canada
As Executive Director for World Renew Canada, McIntosh provides overall direction to the organization, carries out its executive and administrative functions, and supports the Canada Board and the US‑Canada Joint Ministry Council.
“I’m excited to serve with World Renew, joining families courageously at work rekindling hope and reconciling lives in their communities, amidst rising volatility, vulnerability, and violence,” said McIntosh. “The hallmarks of dignity and equality evident in World Renew’s approach to local empowerment resonate deeply, as does the urgent imagination to see all God’s creation, our battered planet, and our broken worlds beautifully restored. I am drawn to this expanding movement of souls seeking to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with all humanity, in the light of Christ’s boundless love.”
World Renew is a faith‑based non‑profit organization working in more than 30 countries each year to address poverty, hunger, and injustice through development and disaster response programs. These efforts are carried out through local Christian partner organizations and churches and are supported by generous constituents in North America, along with partnerships across established government and non‑government networks worldwide.
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