L140
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA CALIFORNIA 91123

JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

August 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your request for information about the Ambassador Foundation.

The Foundation was formed in 1975 to enable the Worldwide Church of God to serve and contribute positively in areas where it was previously unable to do so. The Foundation takes as its purpose the ideals of promoting excellence and fostering understanding. This is accomplished by funding and staffing varied and practical projects worldwide.

The Foundation is directly funded by the Worldwide Church of God, and accordingly reflects the policies and programs of the Church. In Southern California, the Foundation has annually produced an acclaimed performing arts series that has featured world class artists and groups such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vladimir Horowitz, Arthur Rubenstein, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Kirov Ballet, and many others. By bringing this caliber of artist to the area, the Foundation helps people experience excellence in the performing arts. The Foundation was a major sponsor of the recent diplomatic cultural tour of the Dance Theatre of Harlem to the Soviet Union. The purpose of that historic trip (which took place at the same time as the visit of President Reagan) was to help the Soviet people better understand the culture of the United States, thus promoting understanding.

In Thailand, the Foundation has for several years been involved in an educational project to help peasant farmers learn to grow licit crops rather than opium. This helps stem the supply of illegal narcotics and helps the farmers better feed their families. In Sri Lanka, the Foundation helps teach English and basic business skills, so young residents can have a better chance to improve their lives. A similar project was staffed and funded by the Foundation in the early 1980s to help Laotian refugees rebuild their lives.

The Foundation has a long-term involvement with Israel, especially in participating in various important archaeological excavations in Jerusalem. A similar project has been funded and staffed by the Ambassador Foundation in Syria. In Jordan, the Foundation (together with Ambassador College) has worked with Jordan's royal family to support two schools for the mentally and physically handicapped. Students from Ambassador College have served there since the early 1980s.

Further, in the Middle East, the Foundation has for several years provided major funding to the International Cultural Center for Youth (ICCY) in Jerusalem, where youths of major Christian, Jewish, and Arabic cultures can learn to better understand each other.

The Foundation has been involved in several educational projects, including the establishment of a mainland China fellowship at Oxford, which enabled a senior research fellow to study there. Several exchange programs between the United States, China, and Japan have been conducted through the Foundation.

Many other projects have been staffed and funded by the Foundation, including educational projects in Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, and Belgium. Most of these were projects that helped teach disadvantaged people basic skills so they could improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

Thank you for your inquiry. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if we may be of further service.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT

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