1. Poverty in Developing Countries
By: Coley Swegheimer

2. Introduction
With over three billion people (half of the world) living on less than $2.50 a day, how can such a major problem be ignored and forgotten about in the today’s society?
Causes:
Media not presenting systemic poverty (not a happy ending or a crisis)
Media publishes articles that encourage consumption (billionaires)

3. Issue at a Closer Look and Leadership
People are not educated, therefore leaders need to step up.
Leaders must learn how to see an issue and then apply a plausible solution utilizing:
Servant leadership- (serving selflessly & putting others needs before your own)
Realizing that poverty can not be solved overnight.
Therefore, steps should include looking at a specific community’s need or needs.
Rather than just sending money or gifts (intensifies issues), but truly looking at the roots of issues.

4. Leaders Taking Action
Brad and Christina from my church started Faith Project International in Guatemala.
Saw a problem with eye issues and respiratory problems with women cooking over open flames, came up with the solution of building stoves and ventilating out the smoke.
Defining Characteristics:
Determined- Have two kids and even though Christina was pregnant they spent the summer there.
Selfless- spend the entire summer, even though Brad owns multiple businesses.
Creating Interpersonal Relationships- Building community with the people around them.
Saw these characteristics when serving on a mission trip summer of 2015.

5. Pictures from Guatemala

6. Pictures (continued)

7. Conclusions with Christian Leadership in this Issue
Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Stop manipulating power in order to create a certain “image”
Stop getting caught in the Christian bubble (act on God’s word and his call for your life)
Even if you are not planning on serving as a missionary overseas, you can still impact others by reaching out to the least of these and educating others on systemic poverty.