Economic Development

Poverty is a very complex problem with multiple cause and effects. Because of this, the solutions are also complex. While there are many sectoral solutions, including economic development, health, education, creation care, etc., God has called the Chalmers Center to focus on economic development strategies that can be used by local churches in the poverty context.

Economic Development Strategies

The economic development strategies the Chalmers Center has chosen:

1. reflect a biblically-based understanding of poverty
2. incorporate sound community development principles

In addition, these strategies:

1. are theoretically and practically sound
2. are easy to implement and replicate
3. do not require prior financial knowledge or economic development experience
4. do not rely on outside money
5. avoid dependency at both an individual and institutional level
6. provide opportunity for evangelism and discipleship based on a biblical worldview
7. have successfully been used by churches and missionaries around the world and reflect current and best practices.