We help churches develop entrepreneurship among the poor
Paradigm Shift works alongside churches to develop a more effective, sustainable way to reach the poor in their communities. We believe that a more sustainable approach to poverty alleviation creates empowerment rather than dependency. And so we help community and faith-based organizations move beyond giving handouts to creating lasting change in the lives of the poor.
How do we do that? By helping them to develop entrepreneurship. We provide training, coaching, resources and materials to partner churches so that they can implement the Paradigm Shift entrepreneurship development program in their communities. The program specifically targets individuals who turn to entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty (microentrepreneurs). It aims to help these microentrepreneurs grow their businesses beyond subsistence by providing them with:
When combined, these four components provide a holistic approach that tackles poverty at the root and eliminates it for good.
To train churches to provide business training, microcredit, mentoring and discipleship to the urban poor.
Our Vision
Churches empowered to meet the spiritual and economic needs of the poor in their communities.
Our Values
INTEGRITY
Transparency and accountability in all we do
DISCIPLESHIP
Cultivating the personal and spiritual growth of entrepreneurs as followers of Jesus Christ
EMPOWERMENT
Training, microcredit, and mentoring – which opens doors to stability and opportunity
LOCALLY-ROOTED
Culturally-relevant ministry, centered in the local church
ENDURING CHANGE
Spiritual and economic transformation that impacts families for a lifetime
Churches want to serve the poor, but they often do it the same way: give away free stuff. That’s okay in some situations, but at Paradigm Shift we help churches answer the question, “Are we making a lasting impact?”
Why give handouts when you can offer individuals the skills they need to take themselves out of poverty for good? Is any outreach to the poor complete if you solely communicate God’s deep love and care for a person without addressing their physical needs?
We believe that any church committed to poverty alleviation should do so in a way that is empowering, sustainable and tackles both the physical and spiritual aspects of poverty.
Entrepreneurship creates empowerment and places an individual in the driver’s seat of changing his/her own circumstances. In South Africa, the unemployment rate is so high that, often, even the most industrious cannot find work to put food on the table. So out of sheer necessity many people create their own small businesses as a path toward financial sustainability.
However, these microentrepreneurs often lack the basic business skills and capital required for their businesses to grow. As a result, these businesses remain stunted and operate at a subsistence level, making it difficult for microentrepreneurs to meet their basic needs.
The Paradigm Shift program was designed to give microentrepreneurs business training and microloans to grow their businesses and create financial sustainability for their families. The program also meets microentrepreneurs’ spiritual and personal development needs by providing discipleship and mentorship.
