ABOUT PURPOSE AND GRACE OF BEGINNING

When Helmut and Esther Reutter left Germany for Zambia as missionaries in 1982, they could not have imagined that health care and their commitment to HIV/AIDS orphans would soon become an important part of their work. 
While Helmut Reutter worked in church ministry, Esther Reutter, a registered nurse, was able to provide basic medical help to many sick people in the region by setting up a mobile clinic. From these humble beginnings, a network of thriving mobile clinics emerged, which today serves various rural areas in collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health. CM's mobile clinics have long been an integral part within the care of HIV/AIDS patients in particular.

In 1996, the Reutters were confronted with the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS virus. The disease swept young members of their church to their deaths as well. In response to this nationwide crisis and as an organizational base, they founded Chreso Ministries (CM).
 
The name "Chreso" is derived from the Greek word "chrezo," which means "to meet a need." Chreso Ministries initially began with testing services for HIV and shortly thereafter was able to dispense medications called anti-retroviral drugs with government support. CM quickly evolved into a Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT) Center, which was expanded into a full testing and treatment center in 2004 under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative. Under the leadership of Helmut and Esther Reutter, Chreso Ministries has continued to expand its initiative to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic and is now a full local partner of PEPFAR through CDC (Center for Disease, Control). CM provides testing and treatment in Lusaka, Livingstone, Kabwe, Siavonga and their respective surrounding rural areas. These ART centers and their integrated mobile clinics now serve tens of thousands (currently 45,000) of people, helping them manage their HIV/AIDS and lead healthy, productive lives. In addition to leading Chreso Ministries' HIV/AIDS ministry and leading a thriving church, Helmut and Esther have also successfully established vocational schools, a university, and several orphanages.