CHRIS ANDERSON

Dear Family and Friends,

I wanted to share some significant developments in my life's journey with you. As many of you know, my upbringing was deeply rooted in the Mormon faith. However, in my late 30’s, a rigorous three-year study into its historical practices and doctrines led me to a profound shift in my beliefs. Comparing what I learned to the church's portrayal since my childhood revealed irreconcilable differences, ultimately leading to my departure from the faith.

Leaving Mormonism resulted in the loss of close relationships and my established social network. Compounding this, having survived over a decade of childhood abuse, my trust in others, including those meant to protect me and the religious institution that concealed the abuse, was severely diminished. The weight of these betrayals led me to question and eventually abandon my belief in God.

Despite this spiritual emptiness, I found myself with more focus on my professional life. My career as a CPA, which began at a leading accounting firm, flourished in the technology sector, allowing me to quickly advance to CFO and CEO positions. While I achieved outward success, the executive office could not fill the internal void. I realized I had begun to define myself by my professional titles rather than by the way I treated others.

However, God had a different path in store for me. A few years ago, I experienced an unexpected transformation that brought deep healing and a renewed sense of purpose to my life. Since then, I've been dedicated to using my professional skills to serve God in ministry, helping others discover His love. Whether serving as a hospice chaplain, organizing international mission trips, or mentoring men in need, ministry has brought a joy and fulfillment that my corporate career never could.

Recently, I also joined the leadership team of Reaching the Hungry (www.reachingthehungry.org), a wonderful non-profit organization focused on humanitarian aid and spreading the gospel in underserved areas of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. This volunteer role provides even greater opportunities to serve in ministry, including leading international mission trips and sharing Christ’s love through community programs.

While I feel incredibly blessed to serve God in this way, the demands of this ministry work are approaching full-time hours. As my time is given on a volunteer and unpaid basis, it is becoming increasingly challenging to sustain this level of commitment based solely on my personal income.

If you share a similar passion for this type of work, I would be deeply grateful if you would prayerfully consider joining me on this journey by becoming a regular monthly supporter, enabling me to continue ministering to others. Your contributions will be used exclusively to cover the travel and supplies necessary for the ministry programs I am involved in. Every contribution, no matter the size, is truly appreciated.

I believe that God, as the author of my story, has provided these opportunities for me to share His love, minister to those in need, and strengthen the body of Christ. It is my sincere prayer that He will also inspire you to partner with me in this meaningful work.

ABOUT RTH MISSION TRIPS

Our trips are filled with evangelism, women’s and children’s ministry, construction projects, and discipleship & leadership training. For instance, in Malawi, many people suffer from disease and poor diet because they lack access to clean water. We engage with local villages in Malawi, partnering with them to install water wells. This clean water makes a dramatic change in their lifestyle and provides the opportunity to introduce the villagers to the living water of Jesus Christ.  We also host Jesus Film outreaches and eyeglass clinics, as well as lead training classes on shepherd leadership, children's ministry leadership training, women's health, and church planting for local Bible leaders.

Our trips to the Philippines include organizing family & community outreaches, distributing care packages, running basketball camps & kids clubs, directing construction projects, and hosting eyeglass clinics. Our trips to Costa Rica include engaging in various ministries such as a Men's Rehabilitation Program, a Special Needs Home, a Troubled Kids Program, and the End of Life Center; hosting a Medical Outreach, an all-church BBQ, and Couples Workshops; as well as leading children's ministry, and completing construction projects.

Our trips to Thailand include leading university outreach for local students, organizing rural village outreach, hosting Jesus Film outreaches, assisting local sports ministry and children's ministry, assisting local church-building projects, and leading discipleship classes.

Our trips to an orphanage in Mexico bless the children as we lead worship & Bible story lessons, host outdoor games, organize craft activities, and complete renovation projects!

Our Mexico trips are $50-$125, and our international trips range from $1,600-$3,600.  Donations to RTH are tax deductible.