What We Do and Why
I recently read the book, Something Needs to Change by David Platt. He talks a lot in the book about the need to meet people where they are at with their most urgent physical needs without losing our crucial role of sharing the gospel. The quote below was a great example of what we at E4 Project are trying to do through our ministry.
"I want to be part of a community that is simply committed to the most important things: caring for the hurting with compassion and spreading God’s love to the hopeless with courage. I want to be a part of a people who are fearlessly holding on to God’s Word while selflessly sacrificing to share and show God’s love amid urgent needs in our world. I want to be part of the church like God has designed it to be. The kind of church that can change the world." – David Platt, Something Needs to Change
We are involved in many different areas of ministry, and at times, it may seem disconnected to those not involved on a day-to-day basis. What we do always fits into three areas - public health, community development, and training - and what we do is aligned with our mission to “equip our national leaders to defend the cause of the poor and needy” and goes through our internal structure to ensure it is a good fit and program for us to get involved with. Ultimately, it is through prayer and lifting each potential program that comes our way up to God to determine if we should be involved or not. Often, finances play a significant role as well. Then, there is also a list of requirements, or what we call “operating principles,” that the program must align with for us to proceed. This is what we filter each potential ministry partnership or program through:
- It’s about relationships – We serve with leaders who we already have a relationship with. We value relationships with our ministry leaders and the people we serve with more than accomplishing projects. Biblically-based relationships guide how we serve.
- Locally Led/Locally Driven – The goal of long-term sustainability is deeply rooted in local stakeholders. We will come alongside our local leaders to help where we can, but they will drive their programs in their own countries. We partner with Christian churches, hospitals, and NGOs led by nationals.
- Holistic approach to ministry – This is defined as serving the needs of the whole person – social, mental, physical, and spiritual. Our partners all apply this approach to ministry. Every program or project we are involved with will have this as the foundation. In each program, we first meet the physical and social needs and then share the gospel with those who we come in contact with in our programs.
- Peer Partnership – We serve together with our partner ministries and work hand-in-hand with national churches and the social/medical outreach ministries. We do not have authority over any of the ministries we serve with; the local church leadership does.
- Long-Term Focus – Lasting community development takes time to do well. While we respond to current emergencies and needs, ultimately, our focus is helping communities overcome long-term obstacles to their development.
