Man holding bible
Faith and Development

The Role of Faith

Faith is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Our Christian faith leads us to believe every person is created in God’s image and deserves life in all its fullness. Because inadequate livelihoods impede the well-being of families—and the children that live within them—our faith requires us to respond. We seek to offer financial services that help vulnerable households increase their income and manage their risks. These financial improvements translate into better health, more education, and more opportunities for the poor and marginalised.

Family sitting in front of their house in Sri Lanka that was built from proceeds from their dairy business.

Faith & Development

Microfinance as Ministry

We see microfinance as ministry, and every interaction we have with our clients as an opportunity to restore hope and dignity. We seek to see lives transformed by Jesus Christ as He works through our lives, deeds, words and signs. Beyond financial and social impact, we hope our work will have a spiritual impact, which could include:

  • Faith: People follow Jesus in his identification with the poor, the powerless, the afflicted, the oppressed, and the marginalised; in his special concern for children; his respect for the dignity bestowed equally on women and men; in his challenge to unjust attitudes and systems; in his call to share resources with each other; in his love for all people without discrimination or conditions; in his offer of new life through faith in him. We hear and follow his call to servanthood and to humility.
  • Hope: People experience a mindset shift from one of dependence to one of empowerment to unleash God-given creativity and capacity.
  • Love: People discover God’s love and purposes for them as they work with others to address injustices and improve and sustain child well-being.
Two men shaking hands from different religious backgrounds.

Faith & Development

Respect For All People

We maintain our Christian identity while being sensitive to the diverse contexts in which we express that identity.

We do not discriminate. Financial services are available to the poor without regard to ethnicity, political affiliation, gender or religion.

We do not proselytise. We do not use financial services, power, or influence as incentives to conversion. We believe this is unethical and dishonouring to people as well as to God.

Group of people celebrating  in Honduras.

Faith & Development

We Are Part of a Movement

Faith plays a vital role in our world. More than 85 per cent of the world is religious and faith leaders are the most trusted in many places. We partner with people of all faiths and none, because we believe God can work through all people to achieve His purposes. We cannot achieve our mission on our own; we seek to collaborate with a wide spectrum of partners, supporters and others to transform the lives of children, families and communities.

Shaped by our faith and our experience of the world, we see that most people share common values of compassion, love and mercy and are willing to partner in changing children’s lives. So, we ignite and join movements for child well-being, mobilising all people including donors and supporters, Christians and the Church, as well as other faith leaders, secular institutions and government actors.