Ministry with the Poor video
Ministry with the Poor
Poverty is not just a story of developing countries, but an issue that is affecting many communities in the United States of America. “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, and more than 800,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line.” (alabamapossible.org/programs/povertysimulation/)
As a church, we are called to engage our congregations and raise awareness of how we can be in ministry WITH the poor. There is a mutuality of relationship as we share God’s love and grace in our ministries with the poor as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
How can we be in ministry WITH the poor rather than ministry TO/FOR? When we acknowledge and respect cultures, gifts, resources, and practices of a community, we are willing to be equal partners in the mission and work that God is already doing in that community. Engaging in ministry WITH the poor means we are willing to build relationships by knowing the people, learn their story and listen, explore their needs not assumptions, and the willingness to do the hard work of transforming lives. Ministry WITH the poor is a relational-based and transformational ministry.
Go to the people,
Live among them,
Love them,
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But of the best leaders, their task is done,
The people will remark, “We have done it ourselves.”
Our vision in the North Alabama Annual Conference is:
Every church engages in Christian Community Development with a community of need.
Mission:
Build effective ministries with the poor embedded with a path to discipleship.
As a conference, we will be guided by eight principles as we engage in ministry with the poor:
- Relocation
- Reconciliation
- Redistribution
- Leadership
- Listening to the Community
- Church-based
- Wholistic
- Empowerment
To read more about each principle visit http://www.ccda.org/about/philosophy/
Ministry with the Poor Posts

Ministry with the Poor Team invites you to two training events
The trainings include a June 1 two-hour training session by T. Marie King, entitled “Your World Is Not The World,” and a June 2 Poverty Simulation facilitated by Susan Hunt-Sims.
May 20, 2023
Young Adults invited to apply for 2023 QuadW Missional Internship
The QuadW Missional Internship provides the opportunity to experience spiritual transformation through missional activities. The Huntsville site still has spots for the 2023 Summer internship.
March 22, 2023
Ministry with the Poor Team to host "Deep, Wide, Strong: Building Sustainable Communities" event on September 17
During this event, participants will hear, see and experience more sustainable ways of serving with those experiencing poverty and homelessness.
August 02, 2022

Poverty is not just a story of developing countries, but an issue that is affecting many communities in the United States of America. “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, and more than 800,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line.” (alabamapossible.org/programs/povertysimulation/)
As a church, we are called to engage our congregations and raise awareness of how we can be in ministry WITH the poor. There is a mutuality of relationship as we share God’s love and grace in our ministries with the poor as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
How can we be in ministry WITH the poor rather than ministry TO/FOR? When we acknowledge and respect cultures, gifts, resources, and practices of a community, we are willing to be equal partners in the mission and work that God is already doing in that community. Engaging in ministry WITH the poor means we are willing to build relationships by knowing the people, learn their story and listen, explore their needs not assumptions, and the willingness to do the hard work of transforming lives. Ministry WITH the poor is a relational-based and transformational ministry.
Go to the people,
Live among them,
Love them,
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But of the best leaders, their task is done,
The people will remark, “We have done it ourselves.”
Our vision in the North Alabama Annual Conference is:
Every church engages in Christian Community Development with a community of need.
Mission:
Build effective ministries with the poor embedded with a path to discipleship.
As a conference, we will be guided by eight principles as we engage in ministry with the poor:
- Relocation
- Reconciliation
- Redistribution
- Leadership
- Listening to the Community
- Church-based
- Wholistic
- Empowerment
To read more about each principle visit http://www.ccda.org/about/philosophy/
Ministry with the Poor Posts

Ministry with the Poor Team invites you to two training events
The trainings include a June 1 two-hour training session by T. Marie King, entitled “Your World Is Not The World,” and a June 2 Poverty Simulation facilitated by Susan Hunt-Sims.
May 20, 2023
Young Adults invited to apply for 2023 QuadW Missional Internship
The QuadW Missional Internship provides the opportunity to experience spiritual transformation through missional activities. The Huntsville site still has spots for the 2023 Summer internship.
March 22, 2023
Ministry with the Poor Team to host "Deep, Wide, Strong: Building Sustainable Communities" event on September 17
During this event, participants will hear, see and experience more sustainable ways of serving with those experiencing poverty and homelessness.
August 02, 2022