Get to know Craig Jaggers, World Vision’s health and education policy advisor

Craig works for World Vision in Washington, D.C., where he advocates for health and education policies that positively impact children around the world. Malaria is one of the key health issues that Craig focuses on. We asked him a few questions to get to know him better.

WV: What first drew you to advocacy?

Jaggers: Immediately after college, I began working for a U.S. senator from Indiana while I attended a leadership program in Washington, D.C. Though I had always been interested in medicine, politics was admittedly no passion of mine. Yet in a very short time working in Congress, I saw the enormous potential for impacting health and medicine through legislation and policy more broadly than any single clinical interaction on which I had focused ... as important as that is. Living in Ethiopia confirmed for me that many of the greatest health challenges facing communities were preventable and could not be addressed without both grassroots and high-level involvement. Governments, private citizens, and community groups cannot do it independently ... we need each other, and advocacy helps facilitate that.

WV: Who is an advocate that you admire?

Jaggers: He has become the popular choice, but William Wilberforce has long been a favorite. While not a perfect man, his is an amazing journey of faith, failure, triumph, and the struggle against a great injustice. Not only was Wilberforce patient, but he was a man of great strategy — working with various groups to increase social support for the abolition of slavery, in addition to his efforts to influence the British Parliament. Though he experienced victories along the way, it was at the very end of his life when Wilberforce saw slavery abolished — truly a lifelong struggle.

WV: What issue is nearest to your heart?

Jaggers: Preventable diseases impacting children. It astounds me that 9.2 million children die a year from diseases that could be prevented for a few pennies or dollars — like malaria, pneumonia, or diarrhea. Seeing basic interventions provided to save the lives of children, or knowing I had a role in making that happen, is one of my great joys in life. Malaria especially stands out to me. I loathe mosquitoes anyway, but knowing this disease they transmit kills so many kids and could be eliminated in many countries with the help of simple solutions like a treated mosquito net ... it really gets me going.

WV: What is your favorite movie and/or book?

Jaggers::“The Mission” with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons outshines them all. But its grace, faith, redemption, and the fight for justice that really have the starring roles. I am moved and challenged every time I watch it. As for books, I love anything written by Annie Dillard, but the top billing goes to “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken. The only book that has ever made me shed a tear, this true life story of one of C.S. Lewis' treasured friends is a beautiful book of love, grief, and the relentless pursuit of God for His children. Plus, I dream of owning an old convertible similar to the author's MG-TD.

WV: What is the greatest challenge in the pursuit of justice through advocacy?

Jaggers: When dealing with legislation, social movements, or cause-based campaigns, effecting change can be extremely slow, and the impact of successful efforts are not often seen in person. Breakthroughs are often unpredictable and may take years. Yet seeing glimmers of hope when even small changes occur, and knowing lives will be changed because of it, is worth all the wait.

WV: How do you see your faith and advocacy intersect?

Jaggers: For me, faith and advocacy are more than an intersection. My faith in Jesus actually compels my advocacy. Not only are we charged to seek God with all our heart and allow Him to change us from the inside out, but we are also made aware that this cannot be separated from how we respond to others. I have found that obedience to God and growth in my relationship with Him occurs not only through devotional means, but also through showing mercy to a "global neighbor," voicing the concerns and injustices of the poor, and sharing meaningful relationships with others.

Learn more

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