A pig purchase through World Hope's micro-lending program.
World Hope International's Richard Schroeder says they're doing just that as part of their mercy ministry. He says, "There is tremendous poverty around the world and this is really a Christian response to seeking to help people pull themselves up by their own boot straps. It's very much a way of creating income."
World Hope helps the local church establish stand alone financial institutions. Schroeder says these financial institutions only work with the poor who have identifiable skills that will allow them to start small businesses. The loans consist of only $50 or $60, but it's transformative.
According to Schroeder they have these financial institutions in seven countries, but none more successful than their work in Sierra Leone. "This bank for the poor has become the largest lender in the whole country. It has over 16,000 clients that it works with and that's larger than all of the commercial banks in the country combined."
While these programs aren't intended to be evangelistic outreaches, lives are changed spiritually as well. "The staff are all believers and they incorporate their spiritual mission to spread the Good News of Christ in their daily lives and that's incorporated into what they do in their work."
As World Hope works side-by-side with the World Bank and the United Nations, Schroeder says their success, "has given the church some real credibility in these secular circles," which is giving local believers even more opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pray that this work will cause many who are connected to the program to begin asking questions and that many will eventually turn to Christ.
