PU 042: Overcoming AIDS

HIV/AIDS is not only a subject of global concern–it’s an issue embodied by real people every day. In this interview, Kim Buttonow tells the story of a teenager named Claire and the courageous woman who saved her life. Kim Buttonow is HIV/AIDS Programs Coordinator for Food for the Hungry. Based in Washington, D.C., Kim has …

PU 041: Child Headed Households

There are 132 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. In some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa,  one of every ten children is an orphan. The need for orphan care is staggering. In this interview, Chad Mower shares about a unforgettable 13-year-old he met in Ethiopia while on an open team. It’s a story …

PU 040: Walking With The Poor

In this interview, Bryant Myers responds to three questions… What is your definition of poverty? What is your definition of transformation? What is the biggest challenge facing development workers today? Dr. Bryant Myers is Professor of Transformational Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. Previously he served at World Vision International as Vice President for International Program …

PU 039: When Helping Hurts

I had the opportunity to interview Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… And Yourself. In this conversation, Fikkert discusses… Diagnosing the causes of poverty How Western materialism has infected Christians’ work among the poor How Christians can use their gifts to do meaningful ministry Ministering out …

PU 038: Ideas Matter (Laying the Foundation #3)

In this third foundational episode, we look at the roots of poverty. If we provide food, health, and education to people living in poverty, will we solve the problem? Or does poverty run deeper? Key thoughts: Our understanding of how life works must be defined by God. (Romans 12:2) When we don’t listen to what …

PU 037: New Heaven and New Earth

Our daily life is influenced by the way we understand heaven and God’s kingdom. In this interview, Beth Allen shares insight gained from reading Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. Beth applies an understanding of the new heaven and new earth to cross-cultural work, the local church, and Christians’ circles of influence. Beth Allen is …

PU 036: Church Partnerships

Alisa Schmitz answers questions about church partnerships. When a church in the U.S. partners with a community in the developing world, life change occurs on both sides of the relationship. The overseas community can be released from poverty, and the U.S. church can also learn and grow. Ultimately, church partnerships exist to bring about the …

PU 035: No Shortcuts (Laying the Foundation #2)

This episode is the second in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked. “’I just brought you the kingdom of God, and it’s a size 7 pair of shoes. But don’t thank me! Thank God…’ Does that strike anybody else as a pretty shallow kingdom?” There is …

PU 034: The Next Pandemic

The truth about H1N1 Flu, also known as Swine Flu. Carolyn Wetzel explains the pandemic threat, separating hype from real concerns, and analyzes the threat to the developing world. For news on pandemic flu, visit the World Health Organization, the United Nations influenza site, and the US government site. Carolyn Wetzel is Health Programs Coordinator …

PU 033: Why We Ship Goods Overseas

Questions and answers about gifts in kind. Are handouts ever appropriate in community development? Andrew Crawford and Cameron Calabrese work for Gifts in Kind Resources at Food for the Hungry, a department that handles non-cash items going to other countries. In this interview we discuss if and when “handouts” are appropriate, a case study in …