JOSEPH W. TKACH
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
PASTOR GENERAL