Below you will find various resources associated with our Outreach Ministry

October 2011

When Helping Hurts – How to Alleviate Poverty to The Poor Without Hurting them or Yourselves”

Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

"When Helping Hurts" combines sound theology, solid research, foundational principles, and proven strategies that prepare you for Christian transformational ministry among the poor, whether in the local community or abroad.

Good Intentions Are Not Enough
Churches and individual Christians often have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty — assumptions that many times lead to ministry strategies that do considerable harm to poor people as well as to themselves. "When Helping Hurts" addresses these assumptions and offers several principles and strategies for poverty alleviation, including:

- the distinction between relief, rehabilitation, and development

- the difference between asset-based and needs-based strategies

- the advantages of participatory over blueprint approaches

For a more detailed description, click here.

Discussed August/September 2011

Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God" - David Platt

Take the next step. From radical followers of Christ to radical communities of faith.

Writing to everyone who desires to make an impact for God’s glory—whether you are an involved member, a leader, or a pastor—Dr. Platt shares six foundational ideas that fuel radical obedience among Christians in the church. With compelling Bible teaching and inspiring stories from around the world, he will help you apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ in fresh, practical ways to your community of faith.

He poses the question how can we best unleash the people of God in the church to carry out the purpose of God in the world?

Discussed July 2011

"Radical - Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream" - By David Platt

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment--a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.

Discussed May 2011

"Serving With Eyes Wide Open - Doing Short-Term Missions With Cultural Intelligence" - 

By David A. Livermore - Baker Books (2006) - Paperback - 192 pages - ISBN 0801066166

Your passport to learning how short-term missions can best serve Christ's kingdom Short-term mission trips are great ways to impact the kingdom. Yet they can lack effectiveness because of mistakes or naivete on the part of participants. In this insightful and timely book, David A. Livermore calls us to serve with our eyes open to global and cultural realities so we can become more effective cross-cultural ministers. Serving with Eyes Wide Open is a must-have book for anyone doing a short-term mission or service project, whether domestic or overseas. "Every youth worker thinking of leading a short-term trip needs to read this book!"--Mark Oestreicher, president, Youth Specialties.

To read book notes, click here.