Iris Global

{{Short description|Christian organization headquartered in Redding, California, US}} {{Infobox organization | name = Iris Global | native_name = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = IG | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = {{start date|1980|df=y}}  | founder = Heidi Baker and Rolland Baker | extinction =  | merger = | type = Mission Organization | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | status = | purpose = | headquarters = Redding, CA, USA | location = Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East | coordinates =  | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | language = | owner =  | secretary_general = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = | revenue = | disbursements = | expenses = | endowment = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | slogan = | mission = | website = {{url|https://www.irisglobal.org}} | remarks = | former_name = Iris Ministries, Inc. | footnotes = }}

'''Iris Global''', previously '''Iris Ministries''', is a Christian interdenominational, missionary organization that provides humanitarian aid in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Members of Iris seek to spread the gospel<ref>[http://www.macon.com/living/religion/article117474183.html "Rumfords create loving culture for children at home and abroad"]. ''The Telegraph'', November 28, 2016</ref> while performing humanitarian activities.<ref name="New York Times" />

==History== Iris was founded in 1980 by Rolland Baker and Heidi Baker.<ref name=MorningStar>{{cite web|title=Heidi Baker|url=http://www.morningstarministries.org/biographies/heidi-baker#.VGGQP4dwaS0|website=MorningStar|publisher=MorningStar Ministries|accessdate=8 November 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20160102/NEWS/160109959/?Start=2 "Hamilton grad Lindsey Burton a missionary in Australia, Africa"]. ''Holland Sentinel'', Erin. Dietzer Jan. 2, 2016</ref> First based in the United States, the organization initially undertook short-term evangelism trips overseas.<ref name="Revival Magazine" /> In 1985, the Bakers began to work with the poor in Indonesia and then Hong Kong.<ref name="Revival Magazine" /> The organization began operating in London in 1992.<ref name="Revival Magazine" />

Iris became active in Mozambique, Africa in 1995. In 1996, Iris took over an orphanage housing 80 children, which had previously been run by communist leaders.<ref name="Ministry Today" /> However, when the number of children grew from 80 to 320, the previous government leaders put a price on Heidi's head.<ref name="Ministry Today" /> The government also banned the singing of Christian songs in the orphanage, prayer, and the unauthorized distribution of food and clothing.<ref name="Ministry Today" />

==Initiatives== While searching out and caring for the poor and needy, Iris volunteers have founded thousands of churches, Bible and ministry training schools, medical clinics, church-based orphan care programs, children's villages, primary schools, cottage industries, widows' programs, vocational training and well drilling projects.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles">[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/may/miracles-in-mozambique.html "Miracles in Mozambique: How Mama Heidi Reaches the Abandoned"]{{cite journal|last1=Stafford|first1=Tim|title=Miracles In Mozambique|journal=Christianity Today|date=May 2012|volume=56|issue=5|pages=18-26}}</ref> Iris volunteers make regular visits to care for children living at a dump,<ref name="New York Times" /> and the organization combats the second-class status of women and girls by campaigning for equality of the sexes.<ref name="New York Times" />

===Orphanages=== In 2015, Iris Global has expanded its work to provide food, clothing, and shelter to thousands of orphans.<ref name="Ministry Today">{{cite journal|last1=Flinchbaugh|first1=Hope|title=Miracles in Mozambique|journal=Ministry Today|date=28 February 2002}}</ref><ref name="Duane2014">{{cite book|author=Holly Duane|title=All Things in Common|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0uUAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA182|date=4 March 2014|publisher=Charisma Media|isbn=978-1-62136-690-4|pages=182–}}</ref> The organization has networks of church-based orphan care in all ten provinces in Mozambique<ref>[http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-middletown-missionary-death-tyren-haynes-1224-20151231-story.html "Middletown Native, Missionary In Mozambique Since 2007, Dies Unexpectedly At 41"]. ''Hartford Courant'', December 15, 2015. Shawn R. Beals</ref> as well as bases in main cities,<ref>[http://www.insidehalton.com/community-story/5685900-oakville-s-dream-riders-helping-malawians-fulfill-their-dreams/ " Oakville's Dream Riders helping Malawians fulfill their dreams"] ''Oakville Beaver'' By Nathan Howes</ref> including a base in Pemba which houses 200 orphans and several baby houses for abandoned infants.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" /><ref>[http://www.chchronicle.com.au/memories-in-mozambique-21443/ "Memories in Mozambique"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106065619/http://www.chchronicle.com.au/memories-in-mozambique-21443/ |date=2016-11-06 }}. ''Circular Head Chronicle'', Ashleigh Force, September 2016</ref>

===Churches=== Iris initially established churches in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and London, and later one in Mozambique.<ref>[https://calgaryherald.com/health/diet-fitness/team-tackles-gruelling-mountain-race-to-help-malawi-students "Team tackles gruelling mountain race to help Malawi students"]. ''Calgary Herald'' Joan McKeown June 5, 2015 </ref> By June 2001, Iris had initiated 1,800 churches,<ref name="Ministry Today" /> including about 1,200 in Malawi.<ref name="Ministry Today" /> In 2015 Iris has networks of churches throughout Mozambique as well as bases in main cities.<ref name="Revival Magazine">{{cite web|title=Heidi Baker|url=http://revivalmag.com/author/heidi-baker|website=Revival Magazine|publisher=Catch The Fire|accessdate=11 November 2014}}</ref> Two thousand churches have been organized among the Makua people over a span of eight years.<ref name="Revival Magazine" /><ref name="New York Times">{{cite news|last1=Kristof|first1=Nicholas D.|title=God On Their Side|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/27/opinion/god-on-their-side.html|accessdate=8 November 2014|agency=The New York Times|date=27 September 2003}}</ref>

===Conferences=== Iris conducts a series of gospel conferences worldwide.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" /> In Africa, the conferences are attended by poor people, many of whom walk long distances to attend. As many as 10,000 people crowd makeshift platforms to hear the gospel.<ref name="Ministry Today" />

===Schools=== Iris opened Harvest Schools at which local students and visiting Westerners receive training to become pastors.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" /> These students study for six-month terms or for three-month terms once a year for four years.<ref name="Ministry Today" /> The organization also organizes primary schools on its bases, in which more than 2,500 students at a time are taught to read and write.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" />

===Medical=== Iris leaders pray for the healing of those with hearing and vision impairments during village outreaches in rural Mozambique.<ref name=Dissertation>{{cite book|last1=Kantel|first1=Donald|title=The “Toronto Blessing” revival and its continuing impact on mission in Mozambique [dissertation]|date=2007|publisher=Regent University|location=Virginia Beach, VA}}</ref> Iris bases include medical clinics from which the poor can receive free care.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" /> Iris workers sometimes pay for life-saving medical care for others, and the organization has handed out condoms in an effort to combat the AIDS pandemic.<ref name="New York Times" />

==Criticism and controversies== The Bakers have claimed that prayer has restored sight and hearing,<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/new-documentary-will-offer-medical-evidence-that-miracles-are-real-163781/ "New Documentary Will Offer Medical Evidence That Miracles Are Real"]. ''The Christian Post'', Brandon Showalter, May 14, 2016</ref> which was assessed and confirmed by researchers in a peer-reviewed article published by the Southern Medical Journal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=CG |last2=Mory |first2=SC |last3=Williams |first3=R |last4=McClymond |first4=MJ |date=September 2010 |title=Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Proximal Intercessory Prayer (STEPP) on Auditory and Visual Impairments in Rural Mozambique |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45505841_Study_of_the_Therapeutic_Effects_of_Proximal_Intercessory_Prayer_STEPP_on_Auditory_and_Visual_Impairments_in_Rural_Mozambique |journal=Southern Medical Journal |volume=103 |issue=9 |pages=864-869}}</ref> They have also claimed that people have been raised from the dead.<ref name="Christianity Today Miracles" /> The group has been criticized by medical and government officials for these claims.{{cn|date=December 2016}}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Christian organizations based in the United States