Our History from the Refugee Camps
In 1972, a refugee crisis was escalating in Southeast Asia. Compelled by Christ-centered compassion, the C&MA established CAMA to help families displaced by war and struggling to survive.
CAMA staff provided food, clothing, medical care, job training, and faithfully proclaimed the gospel. They worked closely with local believers, the Alliance family on the ground, and other relief organizations. They also pioneered development projects like CAMACrafts, which still exists today in Laos.
In the United States, our staff helped refugees find safety and hope in their resettlement by connecting them with Alliance churches. Because of the love shown both in the camps and in the United States, new Hmong and Vietnamese Alliance churches began to form. Today the Hmong District and Vietnamese District are among the largest of our 27 U.S. districts!
Our work continued. We grew into other parts of Asia, West Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. With risk-taking leaders, faith-filled donors, and God’s provision, CAMA has remained in operation for almost five decades.
“One of the greatest developments within The Alliance in the 20th century was CAMA Services. Now that we are well into the 21st century, its impact upon The Alliance and the world has only increased, sharpened, and strengthened.”—John Stumbo
A New Chapter for a New Decade
As CAMA starts a new decade, we are launching a fresh look. As of today, we are moving to a new logo, color scheme, and website. Here’s what we hope you’ll remember in our rebrand.
1. We do relief AND community development.
We do both by creating a bridge from one to the other. Many understand the concept of relief, but community development has multiple meanings. To us it’s entering into poverty-affected locations to listen, ask questions, affirm local resources, and implement projects alongside the community. We enter as guests, work as partners, and continue as friends.
As you see the two hands, remember it’s relief and development working together. As you see the new color, remember the hope that comes to communities from this gospel-centered work.
2. We never do our work alone.
From serving refugees in Vietnam to our current COVID-19 global response, our staff join hands with you, the local church, local leaders, and other relief and development organizations.
As you see hands formed together, remember partnering well with others always reflects the Kingdom of God.
3. We are all about people.
Disasters, poverty, and pandemics impact vulnerable people for generations. We are committed to developing the whole person to see lasting change. People once marginalized can move towards becoming all that Christ intended for them.
By keeping the representation of a hand, we promise that this important value will not change.
4. We are Alliance.
We are your relief and development agency. In disasters, we want to help local Alliance churches reach out in their neighborhoods. We are also a specialized structure of Alliance Missions. We long to see suffering communities have gospel access.
In our new brand, you’ll notice the look and color better compliments The Alliance.
5. We are welcoming new workers.
We are looking for a new wave of younger workers who have a calling to serve the poor and marginalized. The needs of refugees, the displaced, and the poor continue to grow.
Can you think of anyone in our Alliance family who would make a good fit to serve with CAMA? Tell them about us. We need more workers to join the team.
There is much more to do. We’re excited to see how God will use us. If you haven’t yet, be sure to visit our new website.