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Emmanuel International was founded in 1975 by George and Dorothea Middleton, former missionaries to Ethiopia. Coming out of the famines that devastated Ethiopia, the Middleton’s understood the impact of mobilizing, training, and harnessing youthful teams. Serving side-by-side with local partner churches, great strides could be made in freeing individuals, families, and communities from the cycle of poverty. This was seen as the full proclamation of God’s love.
Since 1975, Emmanuel International has built a solid reputation of commitment, compassion, and care on four foundational pillars – people with a heart and zeal to serve the Lord; partnership with indigenous churches; a holistic ministry; proper international preparation. It has a track record of assisting millions in its partnerships with local churches around the globe. Many of Emmanuel International’s partner churches are an “infrastructure of hope” in their respective communities.
Emmanuel International initially emerged as a mission that sent teams of trained young people to assist in relief work. It quickly branched into longer-term community development. From the beginning, there was also a strong burden to help the Canadian public understand the convictions that compelled George and Dorothea to start their own mission. National Affiliates were originally set up in five nations. They had a dual role - to recruit personnel and acquire resources for the Emmanuel International global ministry; to educate and facilitate people of their own nation in their understanding and involvement in holistic ministry.
In its major and minor changes over more than thirty years, Emmanuel International has remained firm in its resolve to show up on the doorsteps of the most impoverished families, demonstrating God’s love.
EICanada
On March 31, 1983 Emmanuel Relief and Rehabilitation International of Canada (EICanada or EIC for short) was created as a national affiliate of Emmanuel Internatinal. As an affiliate EICanada functioned as a sending as well as a fundraising and promotional agency in Canada. Working primarily with individual donors and Canadian churches, EICanada raised awareness about the needs of some of the poorest people around the world. Its message to the Christian public was that meeting the everyday needs of the world's poorest people was vitally important and that there are many ways to become involved with such an effort.
Sept 11, 1975Emmanuel Relief & Rehabilitation International was born out of the vision of George Middleton to address the growing needs of famine victims in Ethiopia. 1978EI recieved a generous gift of land with an office building by the Ratcliff family. This facility, North of Toronto, still serves as the International and the Canadian offices March 31, 1983EICanada became an Affiliate of Emmanuel International, sharing the Stouffville, Ontario office with the International Office. EICanada was recongnized as a not-for-profit organization with the Canadian government. 1986George Middleton resigned as Director of Emmanuel International and was succeeded by his son, Mark. George went back to Ethiopia to begin a new work there. A new logo was also adopted which replaced the original logo dipicting an open Bible and wheat. 1997Andrew Atkins takes on the role of Director of EI following the resignation of Mark Middleton. early 2003A new push was made to make a clear distinction between the International office and EICanada as an affiliate. EICanada also launched its own website. May 1, 2007EICanada began to rebuild its leadership by putting together a new, vibrant board of directors which is currently chaired by Reg Keddy, whose daughter Samantha served with EIC in Malawi. |
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