Our Story
Home / About Avail / Our Story
Our History
In the late 1980s Chris French, a church leader from Yorkshire, visited missionary friends in Malawi and quickly saw the evidence of the good work God was doing through them. But they were desperately short of funds and the prospect of them having to return home didn’t escape Chris. Returning to the UK, he shared his concern with a few key people and gradually found folk willing to contribute financially which, as it turned out, enabled the missionary couple to remain for many years. At a time when talking about financial needs was viewed as a lack of faith, this was quite a breakthrough. Returning to Malawi a year later, where other works were beginning, the idea grew for starting a support mechanism in a more structured way. From this simple desire emerged what became Malawi Mission Project. Chris remembered those early years as ‘good days of the Lord’s blessing’.
Unsurprisingly, as contacts grew in other countries, the need for their support – not only financially but also pastorally – also grew. The notion of standing still quickly evaporated. ‘Time’ as they say, ‘waits for no man’ and the irrepressible call to serve those whom the Lord had called was not waiting either. Malawi Mission Project became International Mission Project (IMP) and, in 1993, was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The mission was growing up!
What’s happened since? Over the next ten years we tried our hand at circulating a magazine called ‘Head-to-Head’ and began organising mini conferences. We gained new trustees. We travelled more widely and learned practically how to understand and help people in diverse places and circumstances. We wrote our Crisis Management guide, not as a theoretical exercise but as a practical need. We learned through our mistakes. And we were enriched through our many friends and partners.
In 2012 we rebranded to become Avail. Our ethos remained the same, but our name changed. We recognised the word Project didn’t reflect our mission aims. We didn’t want to give the impression that our support was directed at projects. It’s always been about people. Some, of course, are doing projects, some aren’t. But whoever they are, if the Lord has sent them and they need support, our experience and availability could be a lifeline in ‘serving those who serve’.
Shortly before the Chris was called home in 2025, The Lord spoke to us from two scriptures: ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John’ (John 1:6) and ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you’ (John 20:21). In these words, we not only recognise our own purpose as a mission but acknowledge the One who stands behind all our friends in the Avail family – those God is sending on His business.
We are deeply thankful for his help so far and to those who have supported us.
What of the future? By the Lord’s grace, we choose to place ourselves in His hands in trust and dependence.
Seeing mission folk on the breadline I knew I needed to make their needs known. As the subject of support began to catch on, I very slowly realised the Lord was giving me the green light to start a mission. “
Chris French, Founder of Avail
Tribute
After founding the mission in 1988, Chris guided it for the next 37 years until the Lord called him home in November 2025. During his leadership, hundreds of people engaged in Christian work around the world found in him a listening ear, friendship, practical support and spiritual wisdom.
Chris was a tough Yorkshireman with a big heart. He loved his Lord, counting faithfulness to Jesus the highest calling and the greatest privilege. We owe much to him and the pioneering work he envisioned.
Seeing mission folk on the breadline I knew I needed to make their needs known. As the subject of support began to catch on, I very slowly realised the Lord was giving me the green light to start a mission.
Chris French, Founder of Avail
Who We Are and Why We Exist
Mission work can be challenging, so it’s no surprise that even capable and resilient people welcome timely care. And that’s what we offer – practical, emotional and spiritual support to those in Christian mission, whether they are experienced or just beginning. We recognise the uniqueness of their call whilst understanding the need for them to be accountable to others.
Our experience of nearly 40 years in serving and listening to mission workers has guided us in offering the right kind of care and advice in a variety of areas such as family, health, ministry, finance – or in crises which may require emergency action. But we are careful to distinguish between help and interference, preferring to come alongside people rather than pretending we know best. We never intentionally override a person’s own understanding of the Lord’s will for their lives.
Our Mission
Avail seeks to glorify Jesus Christ by providing spiritual, emotional and practical support to mission workers in partnership with churches.
Avail is administered by a board of trustees that is legally responsible to the UK Charity Commission. The trustees decide on matters of policy and oversee the daily administration of Avail’s affairs with the assistance of a small part-time staff; neither the trustees nor the staff receive a salary.
Our Core Principles
We aim to honour and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by seeking and doing His will.
This principle governs all that we seek to do. In seeking to honour and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ we consider unity to be essential. For the trustees, this unity is expressed in a deep commitment to and respect for each other’s integrity. It goes beyond mutual assent and requires us to discover the mind of God together. His word in our hearts is vital, as is recognising the equality of each trustee. What He speaks to any of us will be considered together to ensure there is agreement and purpose in everything we do.
In following the Lord’s leading we also aim that everything should be done well, whilst avoiding corporate business models or being governed by worldly principles. When necessary, we will seek the input of others more qualified than we are. We will at all costs avoid personal self- seeking or gain.
We want to assist churches by helping them provide practical and pastoral care in the support of mission workers.
We are pleased to recognise that many mission workers are also supported by church, family, friends and individuals and see our role as complementing this support.
We serve those in God’s work, recognising the uniqueness of their call while seeing the need for them to be accountable to key partners.
We respect the integrity of mission workers before God and encourage them to follow His call. We aim to give every support to such a call but recognise the need for accountability. This requires submissive hearts and the development of open, loving relationships. We believe this mutual respect is a true reflection of God’s heart.
More About Avail
Your gifts to support Avail is greatly appreciated
It has been very encouraging to experience the amount of support received over the past few years. Please accept our thanks as the mission continues to be blessed.
We accept donations for individuals/families or for a project.
We also accept donations to be used for our expenses or for a need we know about.
We can receive donations via bank transfers, cheques, through PayPal and cash.
(Cheques payable to Avail. Postal address: 62 Holborn Approach, Leeds, LS6 2PD)
Members of:
Global Connections is a growing network of over 300 UK churches and agencies with a passion for mission. Our members include organisations of all sizes working in countries all over the world. Drawing on this wealth of experience, together we seek to address the key challenges in mission today.