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Global Online Training Initiative

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Crown is thrilled to announce the ongoing success of our online training sessions, designed to enhance the expertise of our partners and foster global networking opportunities. Our latest series, “Bible on Money,” launched on May 7th, led by Curtis Anderson, Senior Director of US Urban Development. This series comprises five engaging Zoom sessions, and the curriculum offers an insightful exploration of biblical teachings on financial stewardship, focusing on the relationship between money, our hearts, and possessions.

The response to this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, with more than 20 participants from diverse backgrounds, representing 12 different countries including Burkina Faso, DRC, Haiti, Egypt, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Romania, Thailand, Turkey, Zambia, and the US. This cross-cultural participation enriches the learning experience, providing a unique platform for dialogue and understanding.

Feedback from attendees has been encouraging. One participant expressed his appreciation, stating, “Thank you so much again for this wonderful initiative. I will keep the recordings and will use them to enrich our presentations as it comes along.” The participant also highlighted the relevance of discussions on honesty and integrity, emphasizing the transformative impact of such teachings.

This series not only aims to educate but also to inspire action and reflection among our partners, ensuring they are well-equipped to apply these teachings in their respective contexts. We are proud to be a part of this journey and are committed to continuing our efforts in providing valuable learning experiences that resonate across borders.

Partner of the Month: MELTI

This month’s Partner of the Month is Dr. Wahid Wahba, our partner from Egypt.  He founded MELTI (Middle East Leadership Training Institute) in 2000 and in 2019 he established 4G3 (For the Glory Of God)  to support displaced and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and around the world. MELTI  focuses on empowering Christians to stand firm in their faith through strong biblical teachings and promoting financial transparency, contrasting with traditional practices in many Islamic communities where finances are typically male-controlled.

Since partnering with Crown in 2007, Dr. Wahid’s team has translated and distributed financial management materials across the region, reaching over 800,000 people. Their annual conference in Istanbul was notably impactful, introducing Crown’s financial teachings to attendees from 15 countries, with significant spiritual engagement among the youth. This initiative has continued to expand, highlighting the transformative combination of financial education and spiritual guidance.

Training Leaders in Brazil

In March of 2024, Crown staff visited the beautiful country of Brazil to speak at a conference with Crown Partners and leaders. For over two decades, we’ve empowered leaders across the nation, equipping them with materials to ignite change within their communities. With more than 20,000 active leaders leading small groups in churches nationwide, our collaboration has flourished, spreading God’s stewardship principles far and wide.

In this video, you will see highlights and testimonials from a few of the many Crown leaders in Brazil. As one Crown leader stated, “Being a Crown leader in fact, is a responsibility to the kingdom of God, because we have seen in our classes and also in our own lives that when people understand this principle, they serve the Lord more.”

Our alliance has amplified our reach, extending our impact beyond what we could have imagined. Together, we’ve touched millions of lives in Brazil, empowering individuals with the tools to thrive spiritually and financially. Join us in praising God for the incredible transformation we are seeing in Brazil.

Partner of the Month: Farm Stew

 

We are pleased to introduce you to this month’s Partner of the Month, Joy Kauffman, MPH, from the organization FARM STEW International. The partnership between FARM STEW and Crown has produced incredible results in translating and distributing resources globally. Through collaborative efforts, manuals like the Money Map and the FARM STEW “Recipe” manual have been translated into seven languages, reaching countless individuals worldwide. Together, we strive to serve the Lord and make a meaningful impact, recognizing the strength found in unity.

“Outrageous Joy” in Malawi

Outrageous Joy in Malawi

John Flippen and his wife, Mary Beth, who faithfully serve in Malawi, shared this inspiring testimony:

“In 2023 Cyclone Freddy decimated the villages and fields surrounding Blantyre. Nine months later hunger, real hunger, was an ever growing and constant reality. Such is life in Malawi, the number four nation on the World Poverty Index.

One year after Cyclone Freddy, Mary Beth and I stood in Mtutile Village’s maize field. We were here by these Malawian villagers’ special invitation. “Come! See our fields!” was their joyously extended invitation to us. The I WAS HUNGRY training twenty Mtutile villagers had attended eight months ago was, for the villagers, a huge success. And, they could not contain their Joy. Showing off their fields was something never before done in Mtutile. Now with just two more months until harvest, Mtutile’s hard work, perseverance and the I WAS HUNGRY transformational training would soon put food, lots of it, back on the menu.

That evening, Mary Beth and I sat at home reflecting on this day’s privilege. “Babe, can you believe it? We got to play a small part in their outrageous joy!”

Just one year earlier I had sat in my car and eyeballed Mtutlie’s destroyed houses and fields. Instinctively I reached for my wallet as if it was a magic wand. Easy-Peezy! Sell a stock from our retirement fund and then throw money at the village’s problems! But I had learned this type of relief effort, although making the donor feel great, would not produce any lasting results. But today, I was witnessing overflowing joy. Smiles were all around. Mtutile’s abundant harvest had been produced from their own hard work.

Today’s joy and smiles are the effects of a marvelous new poverty alleviation tool. The I Was Hungry two-week training is a truly transformational combination of farming, finances, family and faith. Now when I visit Mtutlie village, I exit my car committed to the training, not to charity.

Mtutile’s extreme poverty was the entry point for Crown’s I Was Hungry. Their coming harvest will, in turn, produce a rich generosity. I now see the bit part Mary Beth and I were picked to play. “God, I get it. Everything we had earned and learned in our 35 year long careers is now in play here in Malawi. I no longer build with sticks and stones. God, our good God, has entrusted Mary Beth and I with building into His precious people. This is a new game with a new score book. ‘And God, thank you for true riches!’”

Partner of the Month: Conrad Kalonde Bwalya

 

Crown Partner, Conrad Kalonde Bwalya, shares about his passion for ministry and his vision for a stewardship center in Kenya, merging principles of farming, entrepreneurship, and faith. Through our partnership, he aims to establish a space where people can access knowledge of Kingdom work, sustainable business practices, and regenerative agriculture. Conrad shares his hope for a future where institutions of learning and emerging leaders can be equipped with these transformative principles, guiding them towards ethical entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship. Watching this video offers a glimpse into the impactful work being done and the potential for positive change in communities in Kenya.

Providing Hope in Democratic Republic of the Congo

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We recently received this letter from one of our dear partners, Mobali, who may sound familiar from past updates:

“Dear friends,

I am still trying to find the words to briefly outline what this first training at the Crown Stewardship Center in DRC meant not only for me but for those who participated.

In total, we had 20 registered, of these, 18 were able to participate, 2 more were unable to attend due to restrictions at their refugee camp. 13 of them were Muslims which made the training very special.

The Chief outlined that our training was more practical than usual. It was important for participants to walk through our demonstration fields, and be able to ask questions. They were surprised to see the methods we use and how our crops are growing. They were amazed when they saw our Pfumvudza plots of maize and soy and how much we could harvest from them. We covered Compost theory and we will do a practical follow-up in the upcoming weeks. Participants learned Foundations for Farming theory and practice and Crown African Money Map. We also had the opportunity to discuss some of the issues that affect this community such as hunger, lack of medical treatment, witchcraft, and lack of practical farming information.

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The training in general brought hope to the attendees. We want our trainings to be effective. For this reason, these participants will not receive a certificate of completion until they are able to build a Pfumvudza plot, have a healthy compost pile, and show that they have tracked their expenses for 3 months. We still have a lot of work to do as Cédric and myself will follow-up with them.

We could have not scheduled this training without your generous donation; thank you for making it possible and being part of it. There is still a lot to be done, and we would appreciate your prayers for our upcoming registration process and the growth of our center. We need God’s favor and grace to help and impact the community around us. May the Lord bless you!

With deep appreciation, Mobali”

Please continue praying for Mobali and the incredible work God is doing in the people of the DRC.

African Money Map Training in Kenya

While we love sharing global stories of impact, there’s an added thrill when we hear firsthand accounts from those experiencing life-changing transformations. Take a moment to view this video featuring participants of a recent African Money Map training in Kenya, where you’ll witness the direct impact of learning and living out God’s stewardship principles. Let’s unite in prayer for the steadfastness of both leaders and participants as they continue on their transformative journey.

Madagascar Update – Winter 2024

We were recently able to sit down with Crown’s CEO, Chuck Bentley, to hear more about how God is at work in the country of Madagascar. Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements and the journey ahead as we continue to spread God’s principles of stewardship and provide a long term solution to economic suffering. Please continue to pray that God will provide everything that is needed from financial support, to continued favor with the national governments, to the multiplication of trainers who can equip every single community with God’s principles for faith, family, finances, and farming.

Partner of the Month: Matthew Chu

We are excited to introduce this month’s Partner of the Month, Matthew Chu. In this video you will learn more about Matthew Chu’s work as he delves into the intricacies of managing Biblical truths in various aspects of life, including finance, business, and personal growth. Matthew has a deep commitment to reaching a broader Chinese-speaking audience, transcending geographical boundaries. To achieve this vision, he explains the necessity of an online platform which requires financial support, engineering expertise, and qualified Chinese-speaking teachers. He is dedicated to spreading the Word of God and inspiring lives beyond the confines of Taiwan.