This is not a how-to manual... (it's a field guide)

When we serve people who are materially poor, we often want the formula. We want to know, "How can I help without hurting in this specific situation?" In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe. Each low-income person and community is unique.

The good news is that there are key principles that do apply to every situation. And better yet, we are not alone: the Triune God is with us, guiding us each step of the way and actively working to accomplish His grand story of healing and restoration.

This Field Guide builds on the ideas of Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn't the American Dream to unpack Ministry Design Principles developed over decades of observing, studying, and testing. No, these principles will not answer every single question, but they do provide valuable guidelines as you seek to live into God's story in your particular context.