Philippines
Giving Bread: Nonprofit stresses partnership — not ownership — as it serves around the globe
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Bobby Moore looks comfortable doing just about anything.
On a recent mission trip to the Philippines, he hammered nails and dodged falling geckos as he and a group of students from a Christian school in Texas rebuilt a family’s home. He hacked through underbrush to make room for new crops at Arapal Christian Camp. Days later, he preached a Sunday morning sermon for the Talamban Church of Christ.
About the only thing he’s not comfortable doing is taking credit.
Moore, a former youth minister, is director of Bread for a Hungry World, a Texas-based nonprofit that seeks to meet physical and spiritual needs of hurting people worldwide. Church members launched the nonprofit in 1984. Jon Jones served as its director for 18 years.
The nonprofit, supported by members of Churches of Christ, helps communities in countries around the globe — including the Philippines, Cuba, Honduras, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Russia — by providing the means to a more self-sufficient life.
None of the efforts “belong” exclusively to the ministry. Instead, Bread for a Hungry World partners with already-existing works, including Mision Para Cristo in Nicaragua and the Christian Relief Fund in Kenya.
“I could care less if anybody on the ground — in any country we work with — knows the name ‘Bread’ or not,” Moore said. “‘Bread’ only needs to be known in the U.S. as a fundraising source for these organizations on the ground, to help them share the name of Jesus.”
The nonprofit has little overhead and only two employees — Moore and administrative assistant Gayle Biggers. When seeking ministry partners, they ask, “Who’s doing this, and who’s doing it well?” Moore says. “Are they trustworthy? What type of program are they doing that helps build self worth in people — not just handing out food?”
A cornerstone of the ministry’s work is the Tree of Life program, a child sponsorship effort in the Philippines and Honduras. The program provides children from impoverished communities with nutrition and education. The first children sponsored by the program are now enrolling in college, Moore said.
Watching the children thrive — and seeing Christians “come alive and take ownership of the projects” — is the most rewarding part of Moore’s job, he said.
“That’s the type of work I’ve always wanted to do,” he added. “I’ve never been happier.”
WEBSITE: givebread.org
On a recent mission trip to the Philippines, he hammered nails and dodged falling geckos as he and a group of students from a Christian school in Texas rebuilt a family’s home. He hacked through underbrush to make room for new crops at Arapal Christian Camp. Days later, he preached a Sunday morning sermon for the Talamban Church of Christ.
About the only thing he’s not comfortable doing is taking credit.
Moore, a former youth minister, is director of Bread for a Hungry World, a Texas-based nonprofit that seeks to meet physical and spiritual needs of hurting people worldwide. Church members launched the nonprofit in 1984. Jon Jones served as its director for 18 years.
The nonprofit, supported by members of Churches of Christ, helps communities in countries around the globe — including the Philippines, Cuba, Honduras, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Russia — by providing the means to a more self-sufficient life.
None of the efforts “belong” exclusively to the ministry. Instead, Bread for a Hungry World partners with already-existing works, including Mision Para Cristo in Nicaragua and the Christian Relief Fund in Kenya.
“I could care less if anybody on the ground — in any country we work with — knows the name ‘Bread’ or not,” Moore said. “‘Bread’ only needs to be known in the U.S. as a fundraising source for these organizations on the ground, to help them share the name of Jesus.”
The nonprofit has little overhead and only two employees — Moore and administrative assistant Gayle Biggers. When seeking ministry partners, they ask, “Who’s doing this, and who’s doing it well?” Moore says. “Are they trustworthy? What type of program are they doing that helps build self worth in people — not just handing out food?”
A cornerstone of the ministry’s work is the Tree of Life program, a child sponsorship effort in the Philippines and Honduras. The program provides children from impoverished communities with nutrition and education. The first children sponsored by the program are now enrolling in college, Moore said.
Watching the children thrive — and seeing Christians “come alive and take ownership of the projects” — is the most rewarding part of Moore’s job, he said.
“That’s the type of work I’ve always wanted to do,” he added. “I’ve never been happier.”
WEBSITE: givebread.org
