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Francis Njoroge and others have influenced our current understanding of development in World Partners. In our "7 Resources Given to All People" Brochure (click the picture for a copy), it says,
"Development is not about projects, or “things that we do.” Development happens when a community
mobilizes their resources to meet their needs, as defined by them..."
This subtle, but important shift comes from everything World Partners has been learning in recent years. We've been convicted to ask,
What does learning with the Global Church look like?
What is God already up to?
What are the assets, strengths and resources God has given to our Partners?
In what ways are they identifying needs that they are convicted to meet? And lastly, how are we listening and responding to ways we ought we assist?
This is our listening and learning posture, which underpins our relationship-first partnerships. And as a result, we move:
1. From a mindset of poverty in our partners to that of supply.
2. From a mindset of "human saviours" to "God's all-sufficiency".
3. From "us vs them" to "us together".
4. From investing in projects to deepening relationships.
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"Development is not about projects, or “things that we do.” Development happens when a community
mobilizes their resources to meet their needs, as defined by them. A community decides what must be done. Then, as they recognize the resources they already have, and as they see that God equips them to solve their own problems, the attitude of the community turns to hope. When they continue to repeat this process of seeing a need and connecting the resources. This is how poverty is broken.
Excerpt from "7 Resources Brochure". Click on picture to download a copy
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Our faith is in the God's of all-sufficiency. As followers of Jesus, we don't simply meet the world's lack with our supply. Rather, together with the Global Church, we steward the resources God has given for all people, with a special heart for the poor. We bless others because it reflects the nature of God, who blesses those who were created to bear His Image!
See the difference? Our posture must remain one of humility, and one of inviting others to the same mindset through which we see ourselves - blessed to be a blessing. God said to Abram,
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
Genesis 12:2 New International Version
We invite you to join with us as we live out this good news around the world.
How you can get involved:
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