In the Beginning...

Threshold Ministries, Inc. (TMI) has been an officially recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization since 1997. The story, however, begins two years earlier.

In 1995, Dean Reynolds was sent to China by his employer, Celite World Minerals, to build a diatomaceous earth processing plant right outside of Linjiang City--a small town on the banks of the Yalu River, bordering North Korea. In the summer of 1996, Cindy followed Dean to Linjiang. While Dean managed this growing joint-venture mining operation, Cindy set out to make a home for them in this remote, northeastern corner of China. It wasn't long until winter set in, and Cindy was filled with questions regarding the plight of the poor people who surrounded her everywhere. Her questions were seldom answered. "Why are those people digging through the trash heaps?" Cindy would ask.

Celite World Minerals plant
where Dean Reynolds worked.

"Don't look over there," her interpreter answered. "It will just make you sad."

Cindy soon discovered that the people were searching for burnable coal. These people had to choose between spending money on food or fuel during the cold season. Both were needed for survival in the depths of winter. In this area, temperatures often dip as low as 30 degrees below zero.

Many people living here were suffering greatly. The neighboring villages had unemployment rates as high as 80%. The once-booming lumber industry in the area was dying. The absence of hope was underscored by the size of the annual budget for the local Red Cross, which was a grand total of $250. Many school-aged children were not attending school because their unemployed and / or sick parents couldn't afford their tuition fees. The income of many of these children's families was less than one dollar per day. School fees, though affordable for many, were simply out of reach for the poor families of Linjiang.

Cindy felt called to help feed these hungry families and enable school-aged children from desperately poor families to continue going to school by paying for their tuition, books, clothing and food. Cindy started an ambitious project to deliver several 50kg (110lb) bags of rice to nearby families. She gained permission from the local government to do this work. After sharing the story of Linjiang with friends in the States, she gained financial support from Americans in her native Santa Maria area (central California). All in all, Cindy and friends distributed about nine tons of rice that winter. Soon after, a sponsorship program for children was put into place. Sponsored children receive tuition and books for school, food, clothing and medical care.

Threshold Ministries, Inc. is Founded

In November 1997--about one year after Cindy moved to Linjiang, Threshold Ministries, Inc. was founded. Since its founding, what began as a meager enterprise based out of Cindy and Dean's home that supported a few hungry families has blossomed into an organization that....

Has fed, clothed and educated over 320 needy children. 74 children have attended university. 27 have graduated and are now working meaningful careers.

Built a 22,000 square foot orphanage which can house 72 children

Delivers food to hungry families living within a 250 mile radius of Linjiang City.

Delivers cows and chickens to poor families (Niu to You and Chickens Too Programs)

Delivered 500 wheelchairs to Linjiang and other nearby cities

Has developed a good working relationship with the local Chinese government

Has significantly changed the future for the better for many people in the Linjiang area

Threshold's focus in China is centered in on Linjiang City, China and the villages surrounding it in a radius of about 250 miles.