700 Million and Counting: Your Church’s Role in the Fight Against Extreme Poverty with Mike Mantel & Jonathan Wiles
Jan 16, 2025
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Mike Mantel, President and CEO of Living Water International, and Jonathan Wiles, COO, dive into how churches can effectively combat extreme poverty through clean water initiatives. They share impressive statistics showing a decline in global water scarcity and emphasize the transformative role of faith-based partnerships. The conversation also highlights the impact of cross-cultural mission trips that foster mutual learning. Lastly, they discuss creative ways churches can redefine community engagement, particularly through projects like the Advent Conspiracy.
Churches play a vital role in combating extreme poverty by partnering with local organizations to provide essential resources like clean water and sanitation.
Access to safe water significantly enhances public health and education, enabling communities to break the cycle of poverty and improve societal outcomes.
Deep dives
Addressing Global Poverty Through Church Involvement
In 2025, the persistent issue of global poverty remains a significant challenge, with approximately 700 million people still living in extreme poverty. Churches have a crucial role in addressing this issue by forming partnerships at local and global levels, advocating for social policies, and creating economic opportunities. The discussion highlights how faith-based organizations, like Living Water International, actively work with local churches to provide essential resources such as access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. By collaborating with churches, these organizations not only aid impoverished communities but also empower churches to fulfill their mission of service and discipleship.
Impact of Water Access on Community Health and Education
Access to clean water significantly affects public health and education within communities. Organizations like Living Water have completed over 25,000 water projects, granting approximately 7.1 million people access to safe water, thereby fostering healthier populations and allowing children to attend school instead of being hindered by waterborne diseases. The podcast outlines the direct correlation between safe water access and improved educational outcomes, asserting that healthier children are more likely to pursue education, breaking the cycle of poverty. This reinforces the idea that addressing water crises not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term societal development.
Strengthening Local Churches as Development Partners
Local churches are positioned as essential partners in humanitarian efforts due to their community ties and influence. Living Water International’s approach focuses on embedding church involvement within its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs by enabling churches to identify local needs and resources effectively. This grassroots involvement helps churches emerge as key agents of change, bridging denominational divides while supporting community health and discipleship. By fostering a long-term commitment to specific geographic areas, local churches become vital to the sustainability and effectiveness of these initiatives.
Encouraging Engaged Discipleship Through Mission Work
Engaging in mission trips, referred to as discipling trips, is highlighted as a transformative experience for participants and local communities alike. These trips are designed to create meaningful interactions and foster relationships, focusing on learning from local churches rather than purely providing aid. Such experiences open new avenues for church members back home to understand global challenges and develop a prophetic imagination regarding service. By intertwining local and international church narratives, participants deepen their faith and commitment to social responsibility, illustrating the mutual impact of missions on both sending and receiving communities.
Welcome to the unSeminary podcast. This month we’re focusing on key “Unpredictions”—timeless truths that church leaders need to be focusing on in 2025 and beyond. In this episode, we’re hearing from Mike Mantel, the President and CEO, and Jonathan Wiles, the Chief Operating Officer, of Living Water International (LWI), a faith-based global humanitarian organization. Together […]
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