It’s Not OK

Download the free eBook, The Remarkable Truth About Ending World Poverty.

World poverty is not OK with God, and it shouldn’t be OK with us. 18,000 children die every day of preventable causes, but many of us wonder if we can make a difference in the face of such a grim number.

Listen to this episode to learn how people like you can actually make an impact on world poverty. We’ll answer:

• What small and simple steps can help one person living in poverty?
• What is a graduation plan and why is it important?
• Is it better to focus on one issue or many problems at once?

Download the free eBook on this topic, The Remarkable Truth About Ending World Poverty.

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Meet the President of Food for the Hungry, Gary Edmonds

In this special episode of Poverty Unlocked, we feature the recording of a conference call between U.S. church leaders and the President and CEO of Food for the Hungry, Gary Edmonds.

During the call, Gary shared his heart for the Church and a vision for ending poverty.

Gary Edmonds has come to FH with a strong background of church leadership. He has planted and led churches both in the United States and abroad. He served as Senior Associate Pastor of Mariners Church, a multi-campus church based in Irvine, California. He also led Crossroads Church in Geneva, Switzerland. He has served with Churches Together as well as leading other organizations.

Gary served on the board of FH for eight years before accepting the role of President and CEO in 2014.

To learn more about church partnerships at FH or to learn about future conference calls and webinars, visit FH Church Engagement.

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God’s Surprising Solution to Poverty

Is clean water the solution to poverty? Or is it health care? Education, perhaps?

In this audio episode, Wendy McMahan speaks from years of experience in serving vulnerable communities and observing transformational development through the work of Food for the Hungry.

Journey with Wendy as she unpacks what it means to “consider the poor.” (Psalm 41:1) God’s solution to poverty just might surprise you.

Items mentioned in this episode

• Generous Justice by Tim Keller
• Sponsor a child

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Three New Year’s Resolutions that End Poverty. Really.

Listeners– Happy New Year! Here’s a repost of a New Year’s episode that you might have missed the first time around.

Incorporate the end of world poverty into your list of New Year’s resolutions. Here are three New Year’s resolutions you can make that will change the world. Click the play button above to listen.

1. Get involved with one family in poverty around you. (Proverbs 19:17)
2. Get to know God by defending the cause of the poor and needy.  (Jeremiah 22:13-16)
3. Advocate for the poor.  (Proverbs 31:8, 9)

Did you know that the United Nations, Food for the Hungry and organizations around the world have New Year’s Resolutions too? They’re called the Millennium Development Goals. They’re actually more like “New Millennium Resolutions,” I suppose.

Bonus material in this episode: How to keep your New Year’s resolutions!

1. Make a declaration on paper
2. Set a deadline
3. Ask someone to keep you accountable

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PU 045: Six Steps to End Poverty (Laying the Foundation #4)

Why do people remain poor?

This episode addresses six obstacles to positive change for people living in poverty. When all six of these obstacles are lifted, the change process can occur.

1. Lack of education
2. Lack of resources
3. Human sinfulness
4. Satanic deception
5. Lack of supportive people
6. Presence of opposition

When I explained this lesson to my 5- and 6-year-old daughters, here’s the language they understood for describing the six obstacles.

1. No school
2. No money
3. Sin
4. Satan
5. Nobody helping
6. Mean people

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PU 040: Walking With The Poor

In this interview, Bryant Myers responds to three questions…

• What is your definition of poverty?
• What is your definition of transformation?
• What is the biggest challenge facing development workers today?

Dr. Bryant Myers is Professor of Transformational Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. Previously he served at World Vision International as Vice President for International Program Strategy. Myers’ most recent books include Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practice of Transformational Development and Working with the Poor: New Insights and Learnings from Development Practitioners.

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PU 039: When Helping Hurts

I had the opportunity to interview Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… And Yourself.

In this conversation, Fikkert discusses…

• Diagnosing the causes of poverty
• How Western materialism has infected Christians’ work among the poor
• How Christians can use their gifts to do meaningful ministry
• Ministering out of brokenness

Dr. Brian Fikkert is Associate Professor of Economics and the founder and Executive Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.

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PU 036: Church Partnerships

Alisa Schmitz answers questions about church partnerships. When a church in the U.S. partners with a community in the developing world, life change occurs on both sides of the relationship. The overseas community can be released from poverty, and the U.S. church can also learn and grow. Ultimately, church partnerships exist to bring about the Kingdom of God.

In this episode…

1. The goal of long-term church partnerships
2. Preparation for short-term mission trips and ongoing relationships (Matthew 10:9-10)
3. Honoring the people we are serving (Ruth 2:15-16)
4. Keys to ongoing, vibrant relationships

Learn more about Community-2-Community partnerships – long-term relationships between American churches and communities in the developing world.

Alisa Schmitz is Senior Director of Global Engagement at Food for the Hungry.

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PU 035: No Shortcuts (Laying the Foundation #2)

This episode is the second in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.

“’I just brought you the kingdom of God, and it’s a size 7 pair of shoes. But don’t thank me! Thank God…’ Does that strike anybody else as a pretty shallow kingdom?”

There is a difference between converts and disciples. Missional living is connected to wholistic ministry, but we need to make one step beyond living missionally. We discuss handing out food and shoes, and how to share Christ without undermining our message.

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PU 033: Why We Ship Goods Overseas

Questions and answers about gifts in kind. Are handouts ever appropriate in community development?

Andrew Crawford and Cameron Calabrese work for Gifts in Kind Resources at Food for the Hungry, a department that handles non-cash items going to other countries. In this interview we discuss if and when “handouts” are appropriate, a case study in charging a small amount rather than offering a handout, and Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda. Andrew and Cameron ask, “When was the last time you thought about Bangladesh?”

E-mail Cameron to learn more about shipping costs.

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PU 032: The Birth of Poverty (Laying the Foundation #1)

This episode is the first in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.

Poverty started in Genesis. It was solved by the Christ’s work on our behalf. Because of Christ’s work, poverty can be overcome today, and it will be completely solved when God brings about a new heaven and earth. Understanding the Biblical story of poverty helps us to understand how Christians should respond to injustice and worldwide needs.

Read Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers to learn more about these foundational concepts.

Contact Wendy to request the new Poverty Unlocked 4-week curriculum for small groups and Sunday School classes.

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PU 031: Surviving an Economic Downturn

People who live in poverty are experts on how to get through tough economic times. Here are some tips learned from people who live on less than two dollars a day.

Mentioned in this episode: Rooftop and Urban Gardening, a resource from ECHO

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PU 030: Recording Artist Jeremy Willet on Poverty

Three brothers – Jeremy, Justin and Jordan Willet – make up the band Willet. In this interview, Jeremy Willet shares the heart of the band, his experiences in Ethiopia, and how Christians can make a difference in the fight against poverty–no matter what their profession. Jeremy invites you to e-mail him with your comments.

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PU 029: The Poverty of Abundance

One billion people worldwide are overweight or obese, while another billion are hungry. Alisa Keeton shares her thoughts on one link between obesity and poverty.

Alisa Keeton is the creator of Weigh Less to Feed More. She credits Bryant Myers’ Walking with the Poor for shaping her discussion of poverty.

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PU 027: Don’t Miss Christmas

Isaiah prophesied of a Messiah who would rescue the poor. At Christmas, we celebrate this Messiah… or do we?

Scripture references in this episode

• Isaiah 9
• Psalm 23
• Matthew 11:28-30
• Isaiah 11:1-5
• Luke 4:16-21

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