The history of Christian Foundation for Children and Aging

CFCA began in 1981 through the visionary leadership of the Hentzen brothers Jim, Bud and Bob, their sister Nadine Pearce and their good friend Jerry Tolle. Both Bob Hentzen and Jerry Tolle had been missionaries in Central and South America for many years. When they returned to the U.S., they had a desire to continue helping the people they once served.

Early on they decided upon sponsorship as the perfect opportunity not only to provide ongoing help for the poor, but also to allow the poor to share their gifts with people in the United States. Both Bob and Jerry emphasized sponsorship as a "two-way street" that preserves the dignity of the sponsored person and depends on personal outreach from sponsors. The mission statement CFCA follows today conveys the same ideas and principles.

CFCA's first office was in the basement of Bob Hentzen's home. Within a few years, the small staff moved to an abandoned farmhouse in Kansas City, Mo. Finally, in 1991, CFCA purchased an old warehouse in an industrial district close to downtown Kansas City where CFCA could also be a visible presence in the local community.

Note: Please pray for the repose of the souls of our beloved co-founders Jerry Tolle and Jim Hentzen. Jerry passed away in 1995 in an auto accident in Spain on his return from a mission journey to Africa. Jim passed away in 1993 after years of dedicated service to the poor.

CFCA has been blessed with dynamic growth over the years. The CFCA family now includes more than 310,000 children, youth and aging persons; some 275,000 sponsors and donors; CFCA project staff members and missionary partners in 25 countries; volunteers in the U.S. and abroad, including a 12-member board of directors; and a Kansas City headquarters staff.

CFCA's Pilgrimage of Faith

In witness to CFCA's love for the poor and dedication to the principles of Catholic social teaching, Bob Hentzen, in 1996 (at the age of 60), walked from Kansas City to Guatemala.

Bob's walk serves as a touchstone moment for CFCA and a reminder that CFCA should strive to be a "tranquil, loving presence in today's world."

Bob, who serves as CFCA's president, now lives among the people CFCA serves in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. There he has returned to his missionary roots and continues CFCA's ministry of humble service.

Read how Bob continues on the

vision of CFCA's founders >