Faith & Finances Archives - The Chalmers Center

Faith & Finances Supportive Communities of Change

By Jerilyn Sanders | February 12, 2026

A little change can add up over time.

This was true with the cans of pennies, nickels, and dimes my dad used to collect, and it is true for people in Faith & Finances classes.

Two women discuss a financial literacy curriculum.

God Is Restoring What’s Broken: Kellie’s Story

By The Chalmers Center | December 18, 2025

As we look back on 2025, one theme rises above all others: God is restoring what is broken—through His Church, through His people, and through partners like you. Kellie’s story is proof. Kellie arrived at Lighthouse Ministries in Lakeland, Florida with years of trauma, addiction, and loss weighing her down. But through Faith & Finances, one of Chalmers’ biblically-based poverty alleviation programs, everything changed.

𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 & 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 Snapshot: Data That Tells a Story of Grace

By The Chalmers Center | October 23, 2025

Financial education for low-income citizens is crucial, though they face particular challenges that often mean their ability to make gains is more modest. But through Faith & Finances, we have the privilege of providing money management classes that see and cheer on those small first steps.

My Favorite Moment of 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 & 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

By Jeff Galley | September 3, 2025

I have the unique privilege of experiencing the Chalmers Center’s Faith & Finances program from two distinct vantage points: as chair of Chalmers’ board and as a facilitator of the class where I live in Oklahoma City. This dual perspective has given me insights into not just what this program accomplishes, but how it transforms lives in ways that go far deeper than budgeting basics.

Financial Literacy: More than Just the Facts

By Jerilyn Sanders | April 8, 2025

April is recognized as National Financial Literacy Month. Here’s a question to ponder: why don’t more Americans make better decisions in managing their finances? Is it simply that they need better information?

The Exponential Power of Partnership

By Love INC | January 23, 2025

During the past 25 years, in addition to publishing books about poverty alleviation, Chalmers has been creating training for use in both the U.S. and the Majority World (of Africa, Asia, and Latin America). These field-tested programs are built on God’s story of change and community development best practices to help you put a biblical framework for addressing poverty into practice.

Hope Exchange in Jackson, Mississippi: From Crisis Relief to Long-Term Development

By The Chalmers Center | August 19, 2024

Levi and Kateri Gill met while serving with a jobs training program that created employment opportunities through a wood shop and a local coffee shop. This work not only set the course of their personal lives, it also deepened their commitment to serving their community.

What Does Trauma Have To Do with Financial Health?

By The Chalmers Center | January 9, 2024

How a relational and biblical approach to financial education transforms more than just budgets.

Helping People Experience Financial Stability

By The Chalmers Center | August 8, 2023

As the Director of Programs for Restoration House in the Knoxville area, Lori Haskell has years of experience working with single moms who find themselves in difficult circumstances, especially when it comes to finances. They want to be financially self-sufficient but often lack the training and support they need to get there.

Financial Education with Kingdom Goals

By The Chalmers Center | May 18, 2023

Jerilyn Sanders has been the Director of U.S. Training at the Chalmers Center for over 10 years. Her work combines two things: her love for God’s people and her passion for education that empowers the disenfranchised. In 2011, Sanders was part of the team that created and rolled out Faith & Finances, a financial education curriculum that’s a tool for holistic community ministry. She answered a few questions to share more about her work and the ways Faith & Finances is helping churches and ministries love their low-income neighbors well.

You’re More Than Your Past

By The Chalmers Center | April 18, 2023

As someone previously incarcerated, Chanda knows first-hand how broken relationships are at the core of poverty. It’s why she continues to show up for incarcerated women with biblical truths and practical resources — like Faith & Finances Inside.

How Pastor Marty Stayed in Ministry

By The Chalmers Center | November 7, 2022

When Pastor Marty transitioned from a bi-vocational pastor to full-time ministry, he wasn’t confident he could live in a financially sustainable way. He wanted to live a life pleasing to God, but he didn’t know how to provide for his family and his church.

Facilitation as Reconciliation: Adult Education and Poverty Alleviation

By The Chalmers Center | July 19, 2022

Many poverty alleviation ministries include some type of training for their participants. Of course ministries would want to provide instruction in skills and habits that lead to long-term growth out of material poverty! But we have to be careful—a lecture-based teaching style in which the teacher tries to pour content into students’ brains is not only ineffective but can be harmful in the space of poverty alleviation.

Building Community on Tiny Screens?

By Jerilyn Sanders | January 15, 2021

“Are you going to adapt the 12-week Faith & Finances class into a virtual format that we can offer our participants?” In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chalmers staff have been asked this question a number of times over the past few months. Man, we get it. We’ve all had to scramble to pivot…

Disconnected Times Don’t Have to Stop Relational Ministry

By Justin Lonas | September 15, 2020

How do you do face-to-face ministry when gathering people together could be a threat to their health? During this season, churches and ministries are getting creative with solutions that allow them to continue serving well.

Finding Home: Hope and Partnership through Financial Education

By Love INC | August 31, 2020

When Steve and Miranda came to Love INC, they wanted help preparing to buy their first home. They found sound financial advice—but they also found hope and a community where they belonged.

Helping Vulnerable People in Financial Emergencies Webinar

By The Chalmers Center | August 28, 2020

Recently, we hosted Helping Vulnerable People in Financial Emergencies, a free webinar to help churches discover how the best ways to assist people who are struggling financially.

Illustration of a hand holding a bag of money

Social Mobility or Restored Community: What Is Money for?

By J. Mark Bowers | August 14, 2020

Financial education is a key part of helping people in poverty experience greater flourishing. But when we try to educate others about finances, it often reveals what we really believe about money. What stories do we believe about money—and what stories are we telling other people?

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Posts in “Faith & Finances”

Faith & Finances Supportive Communities of Change

God Is Restoring What’s Broken: Kellie’s Story

𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 & 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 Snapshot: Data That Tells a Story of Grace

My Favorite Moment of 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 & 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

Financial Literacy: More than Just the Facts

The Exponential Power of Partnership

Hope Exchange in Jackson, Mississippi: From Crisis Relief to Long-Term Development

What Does Trauma Have To Do with Financial Health?

Helping People Experience Financial Stability

Financial Education with Kingdom Goals

You’re More Than Your Past

How Pastor Marty Stayed in Ministry

Facilitation as Reconciliation: Adult Education and Poverty Alleviation

Building Community on Tiny Screens?

Disconnected Times Don’t Have to Stop Relational Ministry

Finding Home: Hope and Partnership through Financial Education

Helping Vulnerable People in Financial Emergencies Webinar

Social Mobility or Restored Community: What Is Money for?