View of Poverty
ELI’s ministries are built around the perspective that poverty is an issue that is entangled in all aspects of culture. One major reason for poverty in Africa is the fact that people lack the skills, knowledge, or opportunities to succeed. The organization is working to break the cycle of poverty through the establishment of Skills for Life training centers. Poverty also exists in Africa because the continent has been steeping in a culture of oppression and abuse of power for centuries. Throughout Africa’s history any group that held positional power has used that power for personal, tribal, or national gain. ELI is fighting this aspect of poverty by developing national leaders and illustrating the potential for good that comes with positional power through education and example. The third reason poverty exists in Africa is that people lack hope and purpose in their lives. ELI is fighting poverty on this front by sharing the love of Christ with the people of Africa in hopes that dignity, purpose, dreams, and desire come as a result of that love. Another tragic reason for poverty in Africa is human choice. The Bible teaches that all are sinners and have fallen short of God’s glorious standard. The decisions that people make - alcoholism, adultery, abuse, even violence - can lead to poverty. ELI believes that God’s power can break any stronghold and release people from the sins that bind them to lives of poverty. Poverty is a complex issue and does not have an obvious or easy solution, but as an organization committed to making a difference in the fight against poverty in Africa, ELI is dedicated to continually seeking new ideas as God leads.