The Poorest of the Poor

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Proverbs 28:6

From time to time well intentioned people will express their desire to me to reach the “poorest of the poor.” This statement highlights the tension that often occurs when ministering in a third world country balancing preaching the gospel with addressing the physical needs created by poverty. Is the objective of ministry to eliminate poverty or to address the elements that cause that poverty? A society based on non Biblical principles will promote self advancement instead of community advancement.

Peter Wehner wrote, “A culture lives or dies based on its allegiance to unwritten rules of conduct and unstated norms, on the signals sent about what kind of conduct constitutes good character and honor and what kind of conduct constitutes dishonor and corruption.”Biblical character is what needs to happen in every community. The cycle of poverty will only be broken when we work in partnership with Biblical leaders who source their allegiance toBiblical integrity and not commercialism. Our goal is not to simply provide relief but to be Biblical partners with the local church.

One key part of our ministry that many of you directly support is Run:Hope. For just $1.50 a day 220 young people are learning principles and skills that will transform their community. They will have the hope to stay and serve their communities instead of leaving to seek work in another country. A part of that 1.50 per day is used to improve their education by providing a scholarship for 28 teachers to attend college to earn a teaching degree. The team at HBM deeply appreciates your support for this ministry. You may not supportRun:Hope. But you are supporting a ministry that believes in Biblical leadership and the local church transforming the community through Biblical teaching, educational opportunity and medical care.

Providing a meal is important, but only lasts for one meal. Partnership to walk in Biblical integrity changes the life of a community.

A group of our young people preparing for a Run:Hope race. You can see Rick in the back. He had a hard time keeping up.