Our Mission
World Challenge brings life-transforming, Christ-centered care to orphans and widows in the world’s most impoverished, war-torn, persecuted, and unreached places.
Our Legacy
Founded by Reverend David Wilkerson in 1971, World Challenge has faithfully kept the gospel at the heart of its mission for more than fifty years. Today, we carry that legacy forward by proclaiming God’s Word and putting faith into action through Christ-centered care for orphans and widows.
Learn more about David WilkersonWelcome from Gary Wilkerson
Gary Wilkerson serves as President of World Challenge, continuing the legacy and mission his father, David Wilkerson, began. A pastor, author, and church planter, Gary has a heart for equipping local churches to bring Christ-centered care to orphans, widows, and people living in the world’s most difficult places.
The Legacy
A mission that began with one man's obedience.
World Challenge was founded in 1971 by Reverend David Wilkerson — the author of The Cross and the Switchblade and a man whose call to reach the broken never dimmed. From the streets of New York to the mission fields of the world, the work has always been the same: go to the people no one else is going to.
"The Gospel is not a theory to be debated — it is a life to be lived in the midst of the world's suffering."
— DAVID WILKERSONGary Wilkerson became president of World Challenge in 2011, carrying the same heart and vision into a new generation of global mission. The face changes. The calling doesn't.
World Challenge founded
David Wilkerson establishes World Challenge as a corporate umbrella for his worldwide outreach, literature distribution, and church planting work.
Global expansion
Evangelism, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and church planting expand into Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia through trusted local partners.
Gary Wilkerson takes the helm
Following David Wilkerson's passing, Gary Wilkerson becomes president — sharpening the organization's focus on orphan and widow care in the world's hardest places.
23 active sites across 26 countries
40,000 orphans and widows cared for through local church partners — with 3 new sites launching in 2026.
Our Leadership
Gary
Wilkerson
John
Bailey
Kelly
Wilkerson
Todd
Kannegieter
Board Members
- Berry Meguiar - Chairman
- Gary Wilkerson - President
- Roger Jonker - Secretary
- Carter Conlon
- Tim Dilena
- Claude Houde
- Ron Brown
- Kelly Wilkerson