I have learned a lot about poverty by ministering to people living near or below the poverty level. I have learned that there is a special culture in those in generational poverty. God has often reminded me how great His love, grace and mercy is for all people. Through God’s grace I have learned we are all rich in some ways and poor in other ways.  I have learned that those living in poverty also have many gifts and strengths. By ministering to those living in poverty, I have developed a heart and a passion for them.

From my experiences there are a few things that will help develop a heart to minister to those in poverty:

First of all, PRAY. Pray for God will reveal to you any attitudes you may have toward those in poverty that need adjusting.  Pray for those in living in or near the poverty in your own community, the U.S. and the world.  Ask God to open your own heart and the hearts of others in your church to their needs.  Pray those in living in poverty.

Conduct a study to discover where the poverty areas are in your community and county. This information can be obtained by going to the schools, county offices, senior adult centers and many other agencies in your community and county.  Information about conducting a Community Needs Assessment in your community, or how to start a specific poverty ministry through your church can be obtained by contacting Missions Ministries Team by e-mail or by calling 1-800-838-2272, ext. 5150 (376-4791, ext. 5150 in the Little Rock area),.

Prayerwalk or prayerdrive in and around these areas of your community and county. As you do these concentrated prayer efforts, ask God to bring those people out of their spiritual poverty and for ways to minister to them in their physical poverty.

When you see someone in need, remember how great the Father’s love is for them. Try to see the potential for a new creation in every person you see.

Urge others to join you in reaching out to those in poverty. As you begin to see the needs and as God begins to open your heart to those in poverty, share it with your church leadership and your Sunday School class and urge them to begin to minister to those people.For information on ways to minister to the poor and hungry, click on 101 Ways you can Feed the Hungry & Help the Poor.