The New Testament writer James, brother of Jesus, wrote in a plain, no-nonsense style that is as applicable today as it was 2000 years ago. His provocative emphasis on everyday practice – our actions – is a message that is sometimes unpopular, as it exposes the difference between what we think or believe, and what we do. Chapter 1, verse 27 -- which bears on the question of helping those who suffer in extreme poverty -- is a good example; let’s take a look.
A Scene We’d Like to See
One of the underpinnings of our work at Givers by Design is the conviction that our nation’s churches do not do what they could for those who suffer in extreme poverty. Meanwhile, many exemplary parachurch organizations (World Vision, etc) do excellent work, in the name of Christ, in bringing sustainable improvements to the lives and communities of the world’s desperately poor.
Answering the Call
Let’s pray:
Father, Sovereign Lord, this is a hard message to preach, and to hear. So we’ll start by giving you thanks and praise for the gospel that binds us to youContinue reading
Leviticus 19:9-10
Throughout Scripture, we learn that God has a special heart for the poor, the vulnerable, the oppressed... a concern that He expects His people to share. In Leviticus, God instructs them on how they can act on this concern: a wonderfully clear, simple prescription for how His people can show intentional, compassionate generosity towards the desperately poor.
Blessings International
This organization focuses on providing medicines to church-based short term missions groups traveling abroad to serve the desperately poor. Continue reading
Bread for the World
This advocacy organization is dedicated to giving Christians a collective voice in urging our nation’s policymakers to take action in ending hunger around the world. Continue reading
Bright Hope International
This organization is small compared to most in the comprehensive community development sector, but achieves an outsized impact nonetheless. Continue reading
Christ’s Hope International
This small but impactful organization offers supporters the chance to make a direct, personal difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s) produced by the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Continue reading
Compassion International
This well known and respected organization takes a fundamentally different approach to fighting extreme poverty.Continue reading
Discipling for Development
This organization takes a unique approach to community development work by sharply focusing their efforts in the area of leadership development through intentional discipling – with the express goal of empowering poor communities to transform themselves instead of relying upon outside help to do it. Continue reading
ECHO
This high-impact organization’s mission is to help those working internationally with the poor to be more effective in designing and implementing improved agricultural techniques and solutions. Continue reading
Free Wheelchair Mission
This organization’s mission is one of very personal compassion: providing the gift of life-changing mobility to the disabled poor. Continue reading
Haiti Partners
This organization takes a focused, intentional approach to building capacity in one of the toughest places on earth… Haiti Partners helps Haitians change Haiti through education. Continue reading
Hope International
This organization takes an intentional, spiritually integrated approach to micro-enterprise development and microfinance, sharing the hope of Christ as they provide training, savings services, and enterprise loans to restore dignity and break the cycle of poverty. Continue reading
India Partners
This organization works to bring hope for a brighter tomorrow to those trapped by injustice and poverty by partnering with indigenous organizations to bring opportunities for life changing education and training. Continue reading
Lifewater International
This sharply focused organization specializes in providing individualized technology, training, and support on a village by village basis to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs to poor communities in rural areas. Continue reading