Date of Award

Spring 2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

College

Barnett College of Ministry & Theology

Department

Department of Christian Ministries and Religion

Primary Advisor

Dr. Jeff Davis

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas Felke

Third Advisor

Dr. Jim Vigil

Abstract

Poverty is a major contributor of negative effects to individual health, mental health, and quality of life. The call God has for Christians is to care for individuals experiencing poverty. The question the research aims to answer is: “What elements are important to provide a holistic feeding program that meets the need of an individual physically and spiritually?” Literature on the issue of poverty, a thorough review of scriptures, as well as insights from experts in the field provided information on historical and contemporary issues affecting the poor. Data for this project was collected through a mixed methods study consisting of ten nonprofit and local church leaders. A content analysis approach was utilized and the research looked for trends and insights. The findings of the research concluded that local churches and non-profit organizations could benefit from training staff and volunteers on evangelism, implementing evidence-informed curriculum for clients, and using metrics to help inform whether the services offered to families are making an impact. This project will inform the reader of potential methods to incorporate in Christian feeding programs to provide a holistic approach to care for the needs of individuals living in poverty.

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