Poverty Unlocked

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. 

In this special episode of Poverty Unlocked, we're featuring 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, email our Church Engagement team at c2c@fh.org.

Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s new book, Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, takes the ideas of When Helping Hurts and applies them to short-term missions. In this audio interview, co-author Steve Corbett discusses why short-term missions do not always have the positive impact that participants expect. He suggests ways to improve the short-term missions experience so that both parties truly benefit. This is Part Two of the interview. If you missed Part One, find it here. View the show notes for this episode on povertyunlocked.com

Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s new book, Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, takes the ideas of When Helping Hurts and applies them to short-term missions. In this audio interview, co-author Steve Corbett discusses why short-term missions do not always have the positive impact that participants expect. He suggests ways to improve the short-term missions experience so that both parties truly benefit. View the show notes for this episode on povertyunlocked.com

Today I’m going back to one of the most basic lessons about poverty--one that everyone needs to understand but very few people actually get. It’s the infamous issue of dependency. Listen to this 20-minute episode to become an instant expert on the topic—or at least to get started with what you need to know.   I also took some time to address the question that everyone seems to ask: What should I do instead? It’s not hard to avoid dependency—it’s really not!—after you grasp a few basic concepts.   Let me know what you think of this episode! What else would you add?

Check out the show notes on povertyunlocked.com Subscribe in iTunes

Is there a positive purpose to poverty? Marty Martin shares his thoughts on the purpose of the poor, which he says is for “the elevation of all humanity.”   The story of Lazarus and the rich man, told by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, illuminates the idea that the opportunity to respond to people in poverty is actually an invitation from God.   Marty also responds to these other common questions.   Can we use the story of Lazarus and the rich man to determine who is going to heaven? Are rich people forbidden from going to heaven? How are the poor elevated through their poverty?   Marty Martin serves with Food for the Hungry as Chief Operating Officer for the Global Service Center, Phoenix. Marty has over 30 years of experience in pastoral ministry, relief and development operations, and corporate management in Africa, Asia and North America. Trained as an Air Force pilot he also possesses a Masters degree from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Humanities degree from Colorado Christian University. Marty has been with Food for the Hungry since 2005.   In the message, Marty challenges listeners to become involved with Food for the Hungry. Check out some of the opportunities for involvement: church partnerships, sponsoring a child, running with FH World Sports, Hunger Corps (long-term service), and careers. Subscribe in iTunes.

An interview with Amanda Cox, coordinator for the Faith to Action Initiative. Amanda focuses on best practices in orphan care, emphasizing that God’s plan for children involves families. She discusses times when orphanage care is a necessary option, and other times when family-based options for orphans can be found. View the full show notes at povertyunlocked.com

When we walk with people living in poverty, communicating God’s love is one of the most important messages we bear. For those who feel forgotten by God and devalued by the world, the truth of God’s love can transform everything.

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.

Mission trips can be unpredictable, but following a few simple guidelines can take the guesswork out of the experience. In this interview, Heidi Hatch shares seven standards that every short-term team leader needs to know. These principles apply to any Christian mission team, whether they are planning a building project, medical mission, service team, or vision trip.

World AIDS Day is December 1, 2010.  In this audio episode, Kim Buttonow answers questions about progress made towards preventing and treating HIV/AIDS. Kim Buttonow is HIV/AIDS Programs Coordinator for Food for the Hungry.

In Zeway, Ethiopia, over 100 orphans have lost both of their parents. With no social safety net for children, orphans are often left to care for themselves. They feel alone and forgotten. But God has not forgotten them.

All too often, women are the face of poverty and injustice. More women and girls have been killed in the last 50 years by the hands of gender-injustice than men were killed in military battles in the last 100 years. At least one in every three women globally has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

Anne Brown reveals the invisible causes of poverty: ideas. Examples from Guatemala, Zimbabwe, and India show the transformational effects that biblical ideas can have on impoverished communities—and the tragic consequences of destructive ideas.

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.

Good intentions aren’t always enough in missions. When churches and individuals go on short-term teams to communities in developing countries, they need to think carefully about the messages they send – not just verbally, but also through their actions. In this interview, Steve Corbett shares three mistakes to avoid when participating in short-term missions.

World AIDS Day is December 1, 2009. In this interview, Carolyn Wetzel shares the story of 36 African women who turned away from prostitution when they were shown a way out.

HIV/AIDS is not only a subject of global concern–it’s an issue embodied by real people every day. In this interview, Kim Buttonow tells the story of a teenager named Claire and the courageous woman who saved her life.

There are 132 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. In some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa,  one of every ten children is an orphan. The need for orphan care is staggering. In this interview, Chad Mower shares about a unforgettable 13-year-old he met in Ethiopia while on an open team. It’s a story of finding hope in a tragic situation.

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?

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

In this third foundational episode, we look at the roots of poverty. If we provide food, health, and education to people living in poverty, will we solve the problem? Or does poverty run deeper?

Our daily life is influenced by the way we understand heaven and God’s kingdom. In this interview, Beth Allen shares insight gained from reading Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. Beth applies an understanding of the new heaven and new earth to cross-cultural work, the local church, and Christians’ circles of influence.

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.

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?”

The truth about H1N1 Flu, also known as Swine Flu. Carolyn Wetzel explains the pandemic threat, separating hype from real concerns, and analyzes the threat to the developing world.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced a 20-year civil war, with millions of deaths and internally displaced people. Chris Sheach shares the reality from his experiences on the ground in Congo.

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

Two billion people worldwide are affected by parasitic worms. These worms keep children’s bodies from absorbing the nutrients they need from the food they consume, affecting physical and intellectual development. In this interview, Karen Neiswender discusses the combination of interventions needed for children infected by worms: treatment, education and prevention.

Ideas for getting past selfishness and self-absorption with our children.

An up-to-the-minute update on relief efforts in Myanmar. Sara Sywulka of the Relief Unit at Food for the Hungry shares an insider’s perspective.

We often hear talk about how medications and education can fight HIV/AIDS, but how much do we hear about counseling as a cure? Mitzi Hanold shares a counseling technique that is preventing HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The story of how one missionary’s theology was forever changed by a grocery store in Africa. In this humorous and insightful story, Dwight Jackson describes how he came to embrace holistic ministry.

Caitlin Daniel spent a semester in Africa with the Go ED semester abroad program. In this interview she shares lessons from her experience that apply to any world traveler.

Carolyn Wetzel shares a tool called the Care Group Model, which mobilizes community members in developing communities to share health information with one another. It’s a low-cost, highly effective, far-reaching way to save children’s lives. Carolyn also discusses the biblical truths communicated by the innate structure of care groups.

Anne McCain shares eight reasons for Christians to develop personal relationships with the poor beyond reading the newspaper and sending money.

Dr. Amy Sherman shares “The Whole Truth, The Whole Gospel: Holistic Ministry in Your Community.” Recorded at Making All Things New 2007.

Three New Year’s resolutions that will change the world – really.

In this interview with Tom Davis, we learn why homes are more important than hospitals in health care. Tom discusses Barrier Analysis as a tool for helping people make healthy choices that can save their lives.

As World AIDS Day approaches, Kim Buttonow discusses HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Thankfulness among the poor. Are the poor thankful? For what? Listen to reports from people working with poor and marginalized people around the world.

In Isaiah 58, God promises to bless and guide those who serve the poor.

Local churches have the ability and responsibility to serve as agents of change in their communities. Celeste Brown of Food for the Hungry shares principles from the Church Strengthening Program in El Alto, Bolivia.

An interview with Josh Kienzle on lessons learned from colonialism and taking the posture of a cross-cultural learner.

Five ways we can learn from Jesus’ posture in caring for the poor.