Sitting under a thatched gazebo with a group of friends in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Janet asked me, “Why haven’t churches become more involved in microfinance?”
The best answer I could come up with was that too few people really understand microfinance and how it can be a tool to effectively address physical and spiritual poverty. This group of friends from Willowdale Chapel went on to brainstorm ways for the Church to experience what it’s like to live in poverty, truly understand the biblical mandate to care for the poor, and discover practical ways to get involved in microfinance.
The fruit of that conversation–a collaboration among pastors, lay people at Willowdale, and HOPE staff–is a curriculum allowing individuals to glimpse what it’s like to live in poverty while learning about God’s heart for the poor.
Perspectives on Global Poverty‘s group format mirrors the microfinance community bank methodology—where individuals come together and foster a strong system of support and encouragement while they borrow money, pool their savings, and learn business skills.
Perspectives participants save money together, are challenged to take a bucket shower, and are encouraged to fast a meal.
Besides offering group challenges, the curriculum provides an in-depth look at the problem of poverty through Scripture.
If you are a pastor, a church leader, or a lay person interested in learning more about the problem of poverty and the Church’s role in addressing it, then Perspectives is for you.
Recently HOPE launched the “Get Perspective” campaign. Interested? Here’s how to help:
- Download a free curriculum until December 31, 2011.
- Every time you download a free copy of the curriculum, $1 is being donated to HOPE’s life-changing ministry.
- Help us meet our goal of 10,000 downloads to raise $10,000 to provide opportunity for those in poverty.
October 17, 2011
Great post, Peter. We’re huge fans of what Hope International is doing all across the world. And we also believe the Church is the solution to alleviating extreme poverty worldwide. Love the Perspectives campaign, by the way… (and downloaded the material two weeks ago!)
October 18, 2011
Great study! I was lucky enough to head over last fall with a group of women from Willowdale to the DR and it was an amazing experience getting to see the work HOPE is doing first hand. Keep up the good work!