Christian Freedom International (CFI) is an American human rights organization based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...

, whose stated mission is to "help those who are persecuted for their faith

Persecution of Christians

Persecution of Christians as a consequence of professing their faith can be traced both historically and in the current era. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith, at the hands of both Jews from whose religion Christianity arose, and the Roman Empire which controlled much of the land...

 in Jesus Christ." CFI operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on voluntary, private support from individual donors and Christian churches throughout the United States.

CFI originated from the Swiss-based organization Christian Solidarity International, and established official independence as Christian Freedom International on April 24, 1998. CFI was founded and is currently headed by President Jim Jacobson (born 1961), a former White House legislative aide and policy analyst who served under the Reagan administration.

CFI assists Christians living in countries where persecution is most intense. In addition to its international activities, the organization also engages in political advocacy in Washington D.C. on behalf of thousands of persecuted Christians around the world.

CFI has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...

 and a four-star rating from Ministry Watch

Ministry Watch

Ministry Watch is an independent evangelical Christian organization whose purpose is to review Christian ministries for financial accountability and transparency, and to provide independent advice to Christians considering making donations to them...

.

Humanitarian Assistance

Christian Freedom International operates a variety of programs that provide relief aid to Christians who are repressed because of their religious beliefs. Since its founding, the organization has worked in countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Burma, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet, Laos, India and Indonesia.

CFI's international programs focus on the following key areas:

• Bible distribution to Christians living in restrictive countries where it is illegal or especially difficult to obtain or own a personal copy of the Scriptures;
• Medical assistance through the establishment of clinics and hospitals, donations of medicine and medical supplies, and the support of backpack field medics who provide medicine and medical treatment for internally displaced refugees in Burma;
• Emergency food distribution to impoverished Christians, especially those living in remote, isolated regions;
• "Care pack" distribution for needy Christian families in Pakistan who labor in brickyards;
• Child sponsorship, especially for orphans, to help provide for basic, daily essentials as well as educational needs and supplies;
• Operation of orphanages and a vocational school in Thailand for children of Christian refugees from Burma; and
• A microenterprise outlet that provides an income for Christian artisans who produce handcraft products for resale in the United States.

More information about CFI's programs is available through its Annual Report. http://www.christianfreedom.org/pdf/annual_report.pdf
http://www.myguidinglight.org

Advocacy

Christian Freedom International's objective is to monitor countries where persecution is reported and obtain firsthand evidence of human rights violations and repression of religious freedom. CFI then presents such evidence and information to policymakers in Washington, D.C. through briefings and testimony before Congress, the White House, the State Department, and the United Nations.

CFI also works to increase the American perspective and attention on the issue of worldwide Christian persecution, to mobilize other Christians to pray for victims of persecution, and to launch letter writing and petition campaigns on their behalf.

One of CFI's largest advocacy campaigns involved the 2006 decision by the U.S. State Department to allow the resettlement of persecuted refugees from Burma in the United States. After months of political indecision and a final waiver of restrictions under the Immigration Nationality Act, the State Department approved the applications of thousands of refugees that were seeking asylum in the United States.

Financial Accountability

Christian Freedom International has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is an accreditation agency to promote fiscal integrity and sound financial practices among member organizations. Founded in 1979, it comprises over 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and...

(ECFA) since 1987. According to ECFA's 2005 year-end data, 85.9% of CFI's revenues were used for program expenses, 9.9% for administrative expenses, and 4.2% for fund-raising expenses. Additional information about CFI's accountability practices, including a Financial Report and IRS Form 990, may be downloaded here http://www.christianfreedom.org/a_financial.html.