Many of the pastors and members of the Alliance congregations on a Caribbean Island where we work live in poverty. Our team initiated a microeconomic program for church members several years ago. The livelihood projects range from raising pigs (the most common project), growing cash crops, sewing clothes, painting furniture…the initiatives are too varied to list them all.
Our leaders invited other denominations to participate and currently 20 churches from 7 denominations are involved. The goal of the program is to provide financing for the poor so they can develop small businesses to help them out of poverty. Another objective is to empower the national church to become economically self-sustaining through the tithes of their members.
Another key initiative that is happening is a 24/7 prayer movement that has been birthed within this interdenominational relationship. Their last annual prayer retreat was attended by 280 pastors and leaders. Some of the microeconomic groups include prayer and fasting at their weekly meetings. One of the pastors had the vision to invite people in the neighbourhood to participate in the micro program as a way to serve the community and express the love of Christ. During the first 6 months of their involvement with the program, 20 community participants made decisions to follow Jesus.
One man stated that there was something very different in the people. As he engaged with the small groups he soon came to know that it was the presence of Jesus that he was sensing. He testified, “Now my life has been transformed; I am so thankful that they opened their group up to me!”
There is a powerful presence of the Spirit in these congregations. Their passion for Jesus is contagious. Through pigs and prayer, God is empowering His Church to impact that island nation!
To support the microeconomics project click here: DONATE NOW and make a donation to the Caribbean Island Ministries – Microeconomics.
