Living into the Story

Group of people listening to a lecture

God is working out His reconciling story in this broken world. The Bible doesn’t provide us with a detailed script for this story—but it does give us the overall direction of God’s unfolding plan. What does this mean for our efforts to help people who are poor?

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Finding Hope After the Hurricane

Volunteers distributing disaster relief supplies

Pastor Ronnie Garcia wanted to see the gospel flourish in Puerto Rico. But he never imagined that he’d be on the front lines of disaster relief after one of the most catastrophic hurricanes ever to hit U.S. soil.

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Potluck Community: Re-Imagining the Kingdom

Neighbors eating a meal together

This year, we released a new book resource designed to help churches re-disciple their members around the vision of the Kingdom of God. Written by community development practitioner Michael Rhodes and Chattanooga pastor Robby Holt, Practicing the King’s Economy explores practical ways for Christians to live out the Kingdom of God in their work, church, family, and…

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Generosity in God’s Story

The Chalmers Center’s Faith & Finances curriculum helps churches and nonprofits around North America walk alongside thousands of individuals living material poverty grow in their financial stewardship each year. In each class, participants remember two key themes: 1) Jesus is making all things new, including our money and relationships; and 2) God has chosen to use our money to accomplish His work in the world.

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For the Kingdom: The Impact of Influence

True Charity Day 1—Shay Basset Speaking

Across the globe, churches and ministries are stepping into hard places—walking with families facing poverty, isolation, and loss of dignity. The Chalmers Center exists to equip God’s people to respond in a way that’s rooted in biblical truth and practical love. By God’s grace, from local churches and ministries to global NGOs, Chalmers has helped shape a movement of Christian economic development that restores relationships and fosters lasting change. This is the story of that influence.

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Innovation is Looking for Shalom

In a video recorded as part of our Innovate:Online training, Director of Innovation, Tabitha Kapic shares that seeking Shalom is at the heart of innovation. Shalom refers to a sense of completeness, including the flourishing of creation and perfect relational peace. Shalom is the goal of poverty alleviation. As you watch, consider how you might use innovation to foster Shalom, both for yourself and those you seek to serve.

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“What Can We Learn?” – Living Water International’s New Approach to Short-Term Missions

“We used to send teams into communities asking, ‘How can we help?’ Now, influenced by the Chalmers Center’s insights, we enter with a different question: ‘What can we learn?’ That shift has been profound, allowing us to engage in ways that honor the dignity, strengths, and leadership of the communities we serve.” 

– Jonathan Wiles, Chief Operating Officer, Living Water International

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A Time to Pray, a Time to Give Generously

It is a consistent theme of Scripture that those blessed with power and wealth have a special responsibility to administer justice and mercy for those who are in danger or in need. Leaders should use their influence so that the least among us—the fatherless, the widow, the sojourner, and the poor—have a faithful advocate in the halls of power.

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Going Beyond the Four Walls of the Church: The Impact of Community Ministry

Going Beyond the Four Walls of the Church

Local churches often make a significant mistake when it comes to helping those in poverty. They sometimes create divisions in their efforts that aren’t really necessary, according to Scripture. When we split up the act of spreading the message of God’s transformative power (evangelism) and the act of serving others or providing practical life skills (service or technical programming), we give the wrong impression that the world is fragmented. We make it seem like God’s work is separate from helping people in need.

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Look What God Has Done

Look What God Has Done

As we celebrate 25 years of God’s faithfulness at the Chalmers Center, we’re filled with excitement for the next chapter—a chance to expand our vision and deepen our impact for His Kingdom. We invite you to catch a glimpse of this fresh season of ministry and explore our new office space in the heart of…

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How Church-Led Savings Groups Transformed the Surrounding Village

Pastor Rev. Kossi Nayo’s heart for his village in Togo was clear, as he often tended to church members and non-members during times of crisis. Hoping to empower the church to address the poverty of their community, he introduced RESTORE savings groups to his congregation. The groups quickly grew, attracting both church members and those outside the congregation. In time, eight groups were formed and several Muslim women from the community joined, a surprising development given the openly Christian curriculum.

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