Jesus Met the Physical Needs of the Poor When Jesus walked the Earth, his ministry was very tangible and holistic. He laid hands on people; some were blind or disabled and healed others who faced physical challenges, including death. Most of the people who came to Jesus did so because they had a…
The CATO Institute recently published Steve Henkle’s Annual Misery Index (HAMI) of Countries. (The CATO Institute is a think-tank that advocates for a limited role for government in domestic and foreign affairs as well as a strong protection of civil liberties.) The Index was started in the…
Bright Hope’s goal is to build a self-sustaining system that lifts the poor out of poverty and keeps them from slipping back into deep poverty. So, what are the forces that work against building a pathway out of poverty? What makes helping the poor so challenging? Lack…
Like a slow torturesome death, extreme poverty is hard to watch, even harder to go through. But, unfortunately, in the developed world (USA, Canada, Australia, Western Europe, etc.), we are so far removed from the extreme poor it is easy not to look for it or think about it. Unless we are…
Uganda – Safina, a grandma from Uganda, lamented: “As a grandmother taking care of three orphaned grandchildren, life has not been easy for me and my husband.” When Safina lost her son and his wife to HIV/AIDS, life took a…
Haiti – Each year, periods of drought plague the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, threatening to drown struggling farmers like Emmanuel in poverty. Life hasn’t been easy for Emmanuel. Working as a rice farmer in a dry, arid part…
Kenya – Although it’s still dark, Juja Road is filled with early-morning crowds traveling to work and school from the slums of Nairobi. Many backpack-laden children hurry off to school, creating a sea of brightly colored school uniforms. Dorah was…
Living on less than $2 a day. You may not realize it, but many people are stuck living on less than $2 a day. Bright Hope helps them create a sustainable livelihood and break the cycle of poverty. This truth may…
Have you ever tried to explain the concept of “missions” to someone else? Is it equal parts evangelism and discipleship? Are all Christians missionaries? Where exactly do “missions” take place? Are you involved in missions without knowing it? Being a…
*Guest blog post reprinted from the Chalmers Center and adapted from Dr. Charlie Self’s book “Flourishing Churches and Communities”. A few years ago, at a restaurant near Dallas, Texas, a young cashier with Down Syndrome told a customer, “I love…
Why we are passionate about sustainability. When Bright Hope talks about our “sustainable programs,” and we do talk about these a lot, we are saying, “Hey! This program isn’t about a one-time attempt to make today easier for the poor.” Sustainable programs are…
Over the years, I’ve realized that out of the various Spiritual Disciplines, there are few that I neglect as often as Silence and Solitude. Spending time, silent before the Lord, waiting to hear what He had to say rated secondary…