About us - founder's background

CFCA President Bob Hentzen carries on vision of founders

Bob Hentzen, president and co-founder of CFCA, has made walking with the poor his life's work.

In 1996, Bob walked from CFCA headquarters in Kansas City, Kan., to Antigua, Guatemala. He began walking on his 60th birthday, and traveled more than 4,000 miles over a span of eight months.

The journey was a pilgrimage of faith for Bob, who walked to show his love for the poor and call attention to

their realities, gifts and potential. The experience inspired many of his songs featured on the CD, "The

Walkin' Years: A Bob Hentzen Music Anthology."

Missionary, musician, teacher and itinerant philosopher all describe Bob. The values he brings to these various roles were formed as a child growing up across the street from Redemptorist Parish in Kansas City, Mo. His parents taught their 12 children about the

importance of prayer and caring for others.

Bob first answered a call to missionary work as a

Christian Brother in Colombia, South America, where

he served from 1959 to 1963, and in Guatemala from

1967 to 1973. After serving as a Christian Brother, he continued teaching at the high school and university levels.

A desire to return to his missionary roots and walk more closely with the poor led him to found CFCA with former Jesuit missionary Jerry Tolle and three Hentzen siblings: Bud, Jim and Nadine Pearce.

Bob has six children and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, Cristina, in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, where he oversees CFCA's international operations. He travels extensively to visit CFCA projects around the world.

Founders focused on personalized sponsorship

"It was only after several months of searching and learning all we could about different groups out there that we decided upon the sponsorship model of helping," recalled Bob. "We knew that it was not a brand new idea. On the other hand, we also knew that a personalized sponsorship program based on Gospel values and true friendship across the miles and across borders was the way to go."

Some of the first sponsorships were recruited from a mailing sent to family and friends on Christmas card lists. Slowly, word of the grassroots movement spread.

"The good Lord gave us the opportunity and we were able to react," Bob said.

CFCA's first projects were established in Colombia and Honduras, where Bob and Jerry had served. Chile, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines were added soon after.

CFCA's core values — answering the Gospel call to serve the poor, serving with integrity and accountability, recognizing the dignity of the person and fostering respectful relationships — are rooted in the values of the co-founders.

The 1990s marked a period of tremendous growth for CFCA. It was also a time when the organization suffered the loss of two of its founding members. Jim Hentzen died in 1993, and Jerry Tolle was killed in a car accident in Spain after a trip to Africa on behalf of CFCA.

"Their deaths affected each one of us and the foundation deeply," Bob said. "Yet I have every confidence that they intercede for us daily."

Co-founders Bud Hentzen, a resident of Wichita, Kan., and Nadine Pearce, who lives in Overland Park, Kan., remain active in CFCA, Bud as a director emeritus and Nadine as a director emerita.

Click here to read Bob's latest notes from the projects...

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