World Renew, the Christian Reformed Church’s relief and development agency, announced a change in leadership in the second-to-last week of January. A letter from World Renew’s Canadian board president to ministry partners Jan. 24 and a subsequent public announcement indicated that Mike White, previously the agency’s chief marketing and philanthropy officer, had assumed responsibilities of acting Canadian executive director. The last day of work for previous executive director-Canada, Jamie McIntosh, was Jan. 24. No reason was given for the change. The Banner attempted to contact McIntosh for a comment but has not had a response. World Renew and its Canadian board declined to comment beyond the public announcement.
McIntosh was named to the post two years ago and introduced at the CRCNA synod in June 2023. World Renew’s January 2025 announcement commended his “many positive contributions to the organization.”
“In particular, and most recently, McIntosh has expanded World Renew’s access to various sources of funding, supported strong partnership cultivation, and helped build a strongly aligned, newly recruited global executive team,” the announcement said.
Jeff Adams, president of the Canadian board, expressed in his letter: “Jamie’s dedication to and passion for World Renew’s global mission, his team, and external community members has been evident and commendable. … We will certainly miss Jamie’s enthusiastic presence and heart for the Lord. Please join me in expressing our gratitude and well wishes to Jamie as he moves forward. He will always be a part of World Renew's story, and we pray for God's blessing on him.”
White, in the acting role, will serve as the organization’s co-director alongside U.S. executive director Carol Bremer-Bennett. World Renew’s announcement called the co-directorate model “a vital element of World Renew’s executive structure.” Bremer-Bennet was quoted as saying, “I am confident in Mike White’s integrity, intelligence, and passion for the global ministry of World Renew. I look forward to co-leading with him in service to God’s call for justice and compassion.”
The announcement said the board will begin a recruitment process for a permanent replacement. It provided a statement from White, who said: “Serving in this capacity is a deep honour, and I look forward to learning from our supporters, partners, participants, and staff."