With all the discussion of misguided efforts to help in Haiti, the Chalmers Center at Covenant College is stepping forward with what will almost certainly be a tremendously helpful webinar series to help churches, relief agencies, and individuals think through how to best help the Haitian people to take ownership of the rebuilding process.
From the Chalmers Center:
The webinars are scheduled for February 17th, February 24th, and March 3rd, from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (US). They will be presented by Steve Corbett and Dr. Brian Fikkert, authors of “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself,” a paradigm-shifting book about the causes and solutions to the problem of poverty. The book is in its fifth printing since it was published in July 2009 (www.whenhelpinghurts.org).
This webinar series is intended for all those responding to the needs of the Haitian people, including churches, missions boards, missionaries, ministries, Christian relief and development organizations, NGOs, individuals, volunteers, donors, and short-term missions teams. The webinars will help participants:
- Gain an understanding of the harm that can come from an improper understanding of the nature of poverty and its alleviation.
- Identify the basic principles and tools needed to develop relationships with low income individuals.
- Be able to implement biblically-based economic development ministry programs.
The principles taught in the webinars are not a magic formula for success. However, they are powerful, and they have been used by God in even extremely difficult settings (including in the tsunami of 2004 as described in the book).
Registration
There is no charge for the webinars. However, to join a live webinar session, you must register. Register Now »
If you cannot join a live webinar, a download link of the recorded webinar will be posted on the webinar registration page within two business days following the date of the live webinar session.