Scripture explains poverty, and tells us how to respond.
Get the tools you need for outreach with our free Theology of Poverty audio series. Start listening now.
A Life Surrendered to God
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Many college students have big dreams about how they’ll use their university degrees to change the world. But for many of us, real life sets in shortly after we graduate. There are loans to pay back, rent to cover, salaries that draw us in, love interests that anchor us to a particular city. Many times, life just doesn’t work out in the idealistic way we expect.
But what happens to those who really do follow through? In this episode, I sat down with Mesha Smith, who served with Food for the Hungry for four years in Peru. She talked about her experiences living cross-culturally–about the changes she saw happen in the communities where she served, and about the changes that God brought about in her own life through the experience.
Mesha Smith received her degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at New Mexico State University. She joined Food for the Hungry in 2006 and served for four years in Lima, Peru through the Hunger Corps program. Mesha worked as Communication Coordinator and Community Development Promoter. She took photos, wrote stories, designed literature, and created videos about the work of FH in Peru. Mesha now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she works with InFaith, a mission organization that ministers within the United States. She works in their Communication Department and is helping to form an intentional community of believers who live together in order to minister to their Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood.
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The Purpose of the Poor
Is there a positive purpose to poverty? Marty Martin shares his thoughts on the purpose of the poor, which he says is “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.
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Best Practices in Orphan Care
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.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Download From Faith to Action and Journeys of Faith.
- Order print copies of From Faith to Action and Journeys of Faith.
- Together for Adoption Conference, October 21-22, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ
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How to Say “I Love You”
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.
A beautiful truth about mankind is that God made us in His image. Genesis 1:26-27 puts it simply.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Being made in the image of God is good news! It’s a profound statement of the value of each person, and of God’s love for each of us.
In this episode, we explore what it means to be made in God’s image. Listen and find unexpected ways to say “I love you”–and surprising ways we might be undermining the message.
Mentioned in this episode:
A sermon from John Piper
Child sponsorship
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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
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Planning Your Mission Trip
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.
The Standards of Excellence in Short-term Mission are a set of seven guidelines for organizations, churches, and individuals. Over 75 organizations are provisional or covenant members adhering to the standards. Food for the Hungry is a covenant member.
Heidi Hatch is a Field Liaison for Food for the Hungry (FH). Her ministry team facilitates approximately 80 short-term teams each year to Africa, Asia and Latin America. Churches interested in sending a team with FH may learn more on the FH teams homepage. Individuals interested in joining a team can view a list of this year’s open teams. Short-term teams agree to the mission, vision and statement of faith of FH.
