Summary
The New Directions International, Inc. ("NDI") is an interdenominational, evangelical ministry committed to the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Founded and directed by Dr. J.L. Williams, the ministry is committed to the Great Commission's mandate of reaching the world for Christ. NDI implements this through evangelism and discipleship, Bible conferences, revivals, crusades, family life seminars and schools for National pastors overseas. These outlets are under girded by Dr. William's books, audio and video tapes and Bible study guides. Mission programs served include sites in Africa, Haiti, Nepal, India and others. In addition, the organization has another arm called Lifeway Mental Health Associates, which is a mental health ministry serving the local community of Burlington, NC with offices in Asheboro, NC and Greensboro, NC. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Disclosure Note:
Michael Barrick, the Managing Director of Education and Communications for Wall Watchers, has accepted an invitation by New Directions International (NDI) of Burlington, N.C. to be the ministry’s guest on a trip to Haiti and perhaps other trips in the future. Mr. Barrick accepted the invitation because it aligns with the purpose of Wall Watchers, which is to equip and empower donors with information regarding Christian ministries. While visiting in Haiti, Mr. Barrick will have access to missionaries from many organizations, and is free to write without prior restraint from NDI. However,
because NDI is a ministry in the www.MinistryWatch.com database, he will refrain from engaging in any decisions, research or writing about NDI through MinistryWatch.com while he is reporting on people and events he learns of because of his relationship with NDI.
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 2347
Burlington, NC
27216-2347 |
| Website: | www.newdirections.org |
| Phone: | (336) 227-1273, (888) 772-9634 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 560953324
| CEO/President: |
Dr. J. L. Williams |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Mr. Coy Tillet |
Fiscal Year End: |
December 31 |
| Board Size: |
12 |
Financial info from: |
|
| Founder: |
Dr. J. L. Williams |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1968 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1985 |
The New Directions International, Inc. ("NDI") is an interdenominational, evangelical ministry committed to the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Founded and directed by Dr. J.L. Williams, the ministry is committed to the Great Commission's mandate of reaching the world for Christ. NDI implements this through evangelism and discipleship, Bible conferences, revivals, crusades, family life seminars and schools for national pastors overseas.
The ministry serves a host of foreign missions personnel and activities including church planting, the training of indigenous pastors, child sponsorship, agricultural support, and medical care. Most overseas activities are conducted in conjunction with partner organizations. In addition, the organization facilitates support for two employee missionaries. Mission programs served include sites in Africa, Haiti, Nepal, India, and others. Through several pastoral extension courses, NDI seeks to take practical education and training to where the National pastors are living and ministering. Overseas NDI also provides a child sponsorship program.
Lifeway Mental Health Associates is a mental health ministry serving the local community of Burlington, NC. Dr. William P. Wilson is the director of the ministry who provides outpatient evaluation and care. In addition, Dr. Wilson through The Institute of Christian Growth writes and lectures, teaching other practitioners how to integrate their Christian faith into their practice.
This organization is a nonprofit and is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). All gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible and we honor 100% fund disignation.
Disclosure Note:
Michael Barrick, the Managing Director of Education and Communications for Wall Watchers, has accepted an invitation by New Directions International (NDI) of Burlington, N.C. to be the ministry’s guest on a trip to Haiti and perhaps other trips in the future. Mr. Barrick accepted the invitation because it aligns with the purpose of Wall Watchers, which is to equip and empower donors with information regarding Christian ministries. While visiting in Haiti, Mr. Barrick will have access to missionaries from many organizations, and is free to write without prior restraint from NDI. However,
because NDI is a ministry in the www.MinistryWatch.com database, he will refrain from engaging in any decisions, research or writing about NDI through MinistryWatch.com while he is reporting on people and events he learns of because of his relationship with NDI.
New Direction International uses the following to express its Mission Statement:
"Through partnership with the local church, New Directions International is actively involved in encouraging, equipping and empowering strategic Christian leaders throughout the world to evangelize unreached people and to help those who are in need both spiritually and physically."
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
NDI is involved in ministry in: Haiti, Bahamas, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, India and Nepal.
NDI publishes tapes and books.
NDI makes available free study guides. See their web site at www.newdirections.org to download.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
WE BELIEVE AND AFFIRM THAT ...
The Bible is the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. As such, it is indispensable in teaching and preaching, and is our only trustworthy guide for living.
There is one God, eternally existent in the Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The creation of the universe, the world and man was a direct act of God.
Christology includes: the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His intercession for the saints, and His personal and physical return in power and great glory.
Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man. The power and gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential for effective living and faithful service.
There will be a resurrection of both the saved and the lost--the saved unto the resurrection of life, and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
The Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of everyone who has been born again of the Spirit of God, and is expressed through membership in both the universal church and the local church.
The Holy Spirit is active today in the world to convict of sin, and to manifest Jesus to hungry hearts. He is also sanctifying His church by guiding believers into all truth, and bestowing spiritual gifts upon believers for the edification of the church.
New Directions International ("NDI") can trace its genesis to 1968 when New Directions Ministries ("NDM") was formed under the leadership of J.L. and Patt Williams. What began as a short-term ministry of discipling high school and college students has branched out and grown. Initially, NDI took the gospel anywhere it could - churches, schools, college campuses, shopping centers, prisons, street corners, inner cities, parks, beaches. For the first dozen or so years, NDI was primarily focused in America, however each year members of the ministry would take a mission trip to a nearby underdeveloped country like Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti. This broadening of perspective and experience in overseas locales led NDI to shift its focus to the spiritual, physical and social needs of Third World Countries. Today the focus is among the Unreached People Groups of the world - those who are the "poorest of the poor" spiritually and physically.
NDI has communicated the following needs:
(1) Kingdom Builders:
New Directions International has a special group of supporters called "Kingdom Builders" who have a heart for helping build meeting facilities for churches in third world countries like Africa, Nepal, India, Haiti, Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea.
For every small amount, compared to building in the U.S., you or your group can fund the building of a church where God's people in another land can gather for worship, fellowship, Bible study and evangelism.
You can join God in His work as a "Kingdom Builder" in many ways: Make your personal gifts for this special ministry or organize & encourage your church or group to raise funds to sponsor building a church. Join other churches, Sunday School classes, businesses, as well as individuals who have helped New Directions build over 300 churches in places desperately in need of the Gospel of Christ.
To get more information on being a Kingdom Builder, e-mail your request at: joseph@newdirections.org
(2) Child Sponsorship Program:
Poor children in Haiti, India, Kenya, and Nepal are in need of food, clothing, school fees and medical attention. Their lives are tragic. Many live in slums, townships and refugee situations. Many are "street children" who were homeless before the Child Sponsorship Program took them in. Others live in Children's Homes or Orphanages built by NDI.
For as little as $20 to $30 a month, you can help begin to take care of these needs. Because NDI wants every penny to go for the child's need, no sponsorship funds are used for administrative or overhead expenses. One hundred percent of your support is sent overseas to meet your child's needs.
When you become a child sponsor, NDI immediately sends you a picture of your child as a reminder to pray for him or her regularly. You can also correspond with the child through our ministry. Periodically, you will receive further information about your child, as well as a letter or picture at least twice a year, as an update to inform you of the progress your child is making.
To get more information about becoming a Child Sponsor, e-mail joseph@newdirections.org
(3) Sponsor a Pastor Overseas:
10 Reasons for Supporting National Missionaries...
1. They are culturally sensitive to reaching their own people.
2. They already speak the language.
3. They have similar educational and cultural understanding level as their people.
4. They are physically similar to those who they minister to.
5. They are more able to live on the same level as the people they minister to.
6. They have rights and privileges that might not be extended to a foreigner.
7. They can develop more indigenous forms or ministry, worship and organization than a foreign missionary.
8. They are more steadfast...and have no need "to go home on furlough."
9. They have a natural zeal for their own people.
10. They can live with very little. The average National Missionary family can live on $50 to $150 a month compared to the average cost of $35,000-$50,000 a year for a foreign missionary.
To get more information to Sponsor a Pastor Overseas, e-mail joseph@newdirections.org
(4) Suits for African Pastors:
Boost the credibility and confidence of an African pastor by donating suits you've outgrown or worn slightly. Love a national pastor in this tangible way. Old to you is new to him. He'll be thrilled to "wear his best" when preaching to his church.
To get more information on giving suits for African Pastors, e-mail: debbieb@newdirections.org
(5) Agape Homes:
The goal of this operation is to build housing for the poor in areas of every country where New Directions ministers. These areas include Haiti, Nepal, Africa, and India. In some of these areas, work teams are sent to work with the nationals building the homes. In other areas, technical expertise and funding for the homes is provided.
The United States has the best housed population in the whole world. By partnering with New Directions, you can share God's blessing with those who are not as fortunate. New Directions does not use any of these designated funds for administration or overhead.
To get more information on Agape Homes, e-mail joseph@newdirections.org
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 90 | 8/4/2005 12:14:04 PM: Organization made financial information available between 5 ½ and 6 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 8/4/2005 12:14:11 PM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | | |
| Level of Cooperation: | 100 | 3/30/2006 12:17:56 PM: Answers to questions were thorough. |
Click here to compare ministries on transparency and other stats
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
This ministry has not been rated
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2006 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry listNew Directions International's commitment to cross-cultural evangelism has expanded from a single neighborhood to entire nations.
Prior MinistryWatch.com Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry. Previously listed from 2005 - 2007.
MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. The list is a sampling of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
These ministries are called ‘Shining Lights’ because they are indeed models of letting their Christian light shine before men so that the Gospel may be proclaimed and God be glorified. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good works and other ministries may learn from their examples.
While identifying the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ, MinistryWatch.com believes that the list of 30 excellent ministries will be helpful to many. Each of the ministries has the following important features in common:
- Legitimate nonprofit ministry and purpose.
- Have shown a willingness to treat donors fairly via a Transparency Grade of “A”.
- Are unashamed of being identified as an evangelical Christian ministry.
- MinistryWatch.com researchers knows of no significant issues that would be of concern to donors.
A high MinistryWatch.com Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement for inclusion on this list although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.
This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
May 2005
By J. Andrew Preslar
Holistic Ministry:
Reaching Out to the Body of Christ Through Foreign Mission Partnerships and Mental Health Ministries
The New Directions Ministries, Inc. (NDI) is a Christian organization which exists in order to help meet the physical, spiritual, and psychical needs of people. The physical and spiritual needs of man are addressed by NDI through its foreign missions program,
New Directions International (NDI). The psychical needs of man are addressed by NDI’s mental health ministry,
The Institute for Christian Growth (ICG).
The connection between these two arms of the ministry is basically that they are both program services of one organization, and fall under the general mission of reaching out to the “whole man” and “whole church” with the “whole Gospel.” Beyond this, NDI’s official website has a few articles on “mental health” issues, and the website of ICG has a link to NDI. The connection does not, however, appear to be vital. The missions and mental health services each have a different director, scope, and structure. For this reason, we will conduct the body of our analysis of NDI largely as though we were treating of two distinct ministries. Under our “Critics,” “Supporters,” and “Theological Considerations” section, we will for each item listed specify which arm of NDI we are considering. One should, however, keep in mind the fact that we are dealing with one organization; therefore, each item will reflect (to some degree) on NDI as a whole.
Foreign Missions Ministry:
Meeting Physical and Spiritual Needs Through Partnering With Indigenous Pastors and Organizations
NDI was founded by Dr. J.L. Williams in 1968 for the purpose of reaching the “down and out.” As NDI grew into an international organization, the “down and out” it sought to reach became persons living in Third World countries. Dr. Williams is the current president and CEO of NDI. As a part of his ministry, he travels and teaches around the world, reaching out to those in dire need.
According to its mission statement, “NDI is actively involved in encouraging, equipping, and empowering
strategic Christian leaders throughout the world to evangelize unreached people and to help those who are in need both physically and spiritually.” In this statement, there are two goals: evangelizing the unreached and helping people with spiritual and physical needs. There is one means to achieving this goal: “encouraging, equipping, and empowering
strategic Christian leaders.” “Strategic Christian leaders” refers to indigenous pastors. The word “strategic” is emphasized because it indicates the “new direction” in missions whereby NDI takes its name- building missions through supporting National pastors. The rationale behind this move is basically that indigenous (or “national”) pastors are in a unique position to understand and address the needs of their congregations and communities.
NDI is not a missionary agency. Rather, it is a
partnership agency. It works by “linking mission-minded churches and individuals in the U.S. with needy and worthy Third World pastors.” This ministry strategy is implemented in three basic steps: (1) NDI provides, on its website and in its other publications, information regarding a number of particular needs faced by its National partners (pastor training, church facilities, transportation, child need, emergency relief, homelessness, etc.), (2) individual donors pick which need they would like to give towards, and (3) NDI sees to it that the money is used (through its partners in the field) to meet that need. For example, NDI is currently partnering with the
Evangelical Church of India in order to develop a medical ministry in that country. One who wishes to support this effort can simply donate money through NDI, 100 percent of which goes towards that cause. Other Third World partners of NDI include:
The National Churches Fellowship of Nepal, Bhutanese Christian Fellowship, the
African Inland Church, African Enterprise, Evangelical Baptists of South Haiti, and the
Sudanese Christian Ministry for Rebuilding.
It seems that with respect to its goals of meeting (through indigenous pastors and Christian organizations) the physical and spiritual needs of destitute Third World persons NDI does three basic things:
- NDI serves as a bulletin board which Christians can check in order to see what are some of the pressing needs of indigenous ministries in Third World countries.
- NDI provides Christians with a means of directing their resources towards a particular area of concern (pastoral training, children’s needs, disaster relief, etc.).
- NDI sponsors short-term missions trips to those countries in which it is involved in ministry.
At this point one question begs to be asked: how, and on what basis, does NDI choose its ministry partners? A partial answer is that NDI selects which organizations it will partner with on the basis of whether or not that organization is an indigenous ministry in a Third World country and has pressing needs. In addition, NDI often comes in contact with National pastors through the international teaching ministry of Dr. Williams, through its short term missions trips in Third World countries, and by indigenous pastors who come to America and are introduced to Dr. Williams and NDI. These contacts lead to relationship building, and at times to ministry partnerships. NDI’s website includes photos of and information about the various National pastors with whom they partner. In order to gain a clearer understanding of how these missionary partners operate, one should visit the websites of the organizations they work with (some examples are listed above) and/ or ask NDI for more information about these partner ministries.
Mental Health Ministry:
Addressing Man’s Psychical Needs Through Faith-based Psychotherapy
The Institute for Christian Growth (ICG) is the mental health ministry of NDI. ICG exists in order to provide people with mental care through the techniques of modern psychotherapy, and to instruct medical students, residents, other practitioners, and interested lay-persons on the relationship between faith and mental health issues. The program is directed by William Wilson, M.D., the Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center. Affiliated counselors are Larry Willett, Ph.D., and Carson Sarvis, M.Ed.
The mental health ministry of ICG is divided into two units: a clinical ministry and a teaching ministry.
Lifeway Mental Health Associates (LMHA) is the clinical end of ICG. Its facilities are located in Graham, North Carolina, with affiliates in Asheboro, NC and Greensboro, NC. LMHA is committed to ministering to the spirit, soul, and body of its patients. This is done through psychotherapy, psychiatric services, marital and family counseling, and therapy for resolving spiritual issues such as: substance abuse, eating disorders, emotional difficulties, physical and/ or sexual abuse, etc. LMHA considers the patient’s faith to be an integral part of the healing process. Appointments can be made by calling 336-229-6049. LMHA’s staff consists of highly-trained professionals, and most insurance companies reimburse patients for expenses incurred by therapy.
The teaching aspect of ICG is designed to help professionals and lay-persons understand how faith can be integrated into mental health practice. ICG encourages professionals to come to the Institute for tutoring, conducts conferences for wider audiences, and publishes materials which present ICG’s philosophy of Christian mental health ministry (many of these materials can be downloaded at the Institute’s website: www.instchristiangrowth.org).
There are three basic premises to ICG’s philosophy of mental health:
- It is a mistake to reduce human nature to its material components. Man is comprised of spirit and soul as well as body, and a good mental health program will not ignore any of these components of man.
- Psychological and psychiatric models and techniques provide insight into basic human conflicts and can be useful in resolving those conflicts.
- Spiritual regeneration in Jesus Christ and biblically-informed thinking about ourselves and the world around us are crucial to holistic healing (body, soul, and spirit).
The mental health ministry is related to NDI through NDI and the general mission statement of ministering to the whole man. Other than this, NDI and IGC appear to be functionally autonomous. NDI is by far the largest ministry program of NDI (the program services expense account of IGC is only a fraction [approximately one-thirteenth] of that of NDI).