Kierra Blaser
Community Engagement
What an exciting adventure it has been as God has led me to this job at Empowering Lives! During my freshman year at Azusa Pacific University, God radically broke my heart for the poor and I felt a calling to help relieve poverty in this world that I couldn’t ignore. In the summer of 2002, I went to Kenya with a team from my school to partner with ELI and experienced the most amazing month of my life. I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the land, and I definitely left a huge portion of my heart there. Two years later, God clearly revealed and confirmed His calling for me to help relieve poverty in Africa through ELI and I joined as full-time staff right as I graduated college. My first year with ELI as the Office Administrator served as an incredible learning time as I gained knowledge of how the organization runs and all the stateside work that goes into running a ministry in Africa. My second year I transitioned to the role of Short-Term Ministry Coordinator and loved serving in this capacity for the next three years. In January of 2009, I transitioned to my current position as ELI’s Community Engagement Liaison.As the Community Engagement Liaison, I conduct outreach activities within the community to share the vision and ministry of ELI and provide opportunities for them to join our team by praying, volunteering, coming as an intern or short-term team member, and donating. I spend a lot of my time sharing the vision of ELI at schools, churches, and bible study groups to raise awareness about our ministry and God’s hurting children around the world. I love getting to speak up for those who are not given a voice and watching the Holy Spirit minister to hearts and call forth people to join Him in His global mission to bring His hope to a hurting world. There are many ways for people here in the States to make a difference, and I love providing creative ways for them to plug in and use the gifts God has given them.