Related articles and links |  1 of 3

There's never been such a time in the world of development strategy as now. While there's billions more in development money than ever before, there's also more skepticism than ever about whether raining money on the world's problems will do any long-term good. Recently I read an article by a professor who essentially declared to the development world: "Give Up." And this professor is not alone. Many analysts have noticed that when Westerners try to help developing nations, we often waste large amounts of money, undermine the local economy, or make locals dependent on us for generations.

But I cannot give up, because I've seen development succeed time and again.

Twenty-five years ago, I took my first trip to Africa. Eleven years ago, my wife and I moved to Kenya to serve full-time with International Christian Ministries. This organization trains pastors and church leaders in 26 countries and has worked with Walk Thru the Bible, EQUIP, and Purpose-Driven Ministries, among many other ministries. I've worked alongside hundreds of Christian leaders on myriad development projects.

I know firsthand that helping people help themselves is one of the toughest businesses you can be in. But it can be done successfully. And when I've seen it done successfully, I've noticed that those involved abide by most, if not all, of the following 10 principles. Those who long to make a difference in the developing world—especially local churches that support both short- and long-term mission projects—would do well to consider these.

1. Know More Than Your Mission Statement
You must know your mission statement, but also know the vision and values behind it. What are you ultimately hoping to see happen, and why exactly do you want to see it happen? Answering those questions will go a long way in not only helping you have a plan but in knowing when you can veer from the plan. Continually lift up your vision and values to ensure they are owned from the grassroots to the "grasstops" of your organization.

2. Avoid Deficit Auditing
Don't look only at what a community lacks— so-called "deficit auditing." Instead, use what I call "asset auditing," in which all resources (human, economic, cultural, and spiritual) are acknowledged and harnessed. Saddleback Church's Rick Warren puts it this way: "Don't ask God to bless what you are doing. Do what God is blessing."

3. Seed the Project with Local Seeds
In Kenya, three graduates of our bachelor's program for pastors presented a huge budget for their new Bible school and asked me to fund it entirely. I found a local leader who would kick in a small amount of seed money, and the pastors quickly understood this approach. Soon they found other resources, and eventually launched the school, using a very modest amount financially. Six years later, their Bible school just graduated its first class.

4. Make the Rounds Early and Often
God has leaders in every nation. It is important to meet with them early on and to be sensitive to local political realities. One missionary I knew did not follow this principle. Due to the high-profile work he did, government leaders viewed him as a political threat, and he and his team were booted from the country.

I once spoke with the mayor of an African town we were working in, telling him what we were all about. I asked him, "What could we do to help you accomplish your objectives?" He was shocked. That had never happened before. By asking one simple question, I gained an influential friend.

next page... |  1 of 3

November 2007, Vol. 51, No. 11