The Power of Collaboration: Strengthen Your Poverty Alleviation Ministry Together

BETHANY HERRON
Vice President of Education
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“We just knew that we weren’t doing it well, but we weren’t really sure what to do. True Charity helped us find some of those answers.”

This feedback from one of our network members is a common chorus across our community. When I first joined the True Charity team, I felt it too. As a ministry spouse with years of experience in church benevolence, I always knew what we did wasn’t working. At the time, I chalked it up to living in a fallen world. “We live in a brokenness,” I often thought, “so there’s nothing more we can do.”

I’m glad I was wrong.

What a small vision I had of God’s redemptive work! And, what a surface-level understanding of the implications of mankind made in God’s image (the Imago Dei). Like many of our network members, I was fueled by compassion. Yet, I didn’t understand that how I practiced charity — and equally important, my hope for those in poverty — truly mattered.

My charity was meant to be broader than simply sharing the Gospel and feeding the hungry. God created every individual with intrinsic value — and they aren’t hopeless. Quite the opposite — God’s heart for the poor is restorative. May our imaginations be awakened to consider the beauty to be found when relationships with God, others, self, and the rest of Creation are restored — not just for ourselves but for those in poverty.

Where Do You Go When Something Feels Off in Your Charitable Practice?

“Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22).

So, where should we go when something feels off? We seek counsel — from the Lord and from the Scriptures. But we should also seek it from others who have already figured out what works and what doesn’t.

One of the best places to find this type of community is the True Charity Network. It’s a hub for collaboration — a place to train, connect, and strengthen your poverty alleviation ministry — whether you’re not sure what to do next or have discovered something you must share with others.

Thinking back, I often wonder how our church’s benevolence programs would’ve changed if we had advisers in the field to learn from.

How to Tap Into the Resources Available

If you’ve ever explored one of our resources — whether it was a training video on mental illness or guidance on how to start a specific program — that information comes from our 220+ network members and business partners who share what works (and what doesn’t).

But did you know this community doesn’t just exist scattered across the nation? Once a year, the True Charity Summit gathers practitioners like you to train, connect, and strengthen one another.

Here’s What to Expect at the Summit

The True Charity Summit is more than just a conference; it’s a gathering of passionate individuals committed to seeing lives changed through effective, dignified charity. It’s a place where ministry leaders, nonprofit professionals, and advocates come together to advise one another towards poverty alleviation that leads to flourishing.

One past attendee put it this way:

“The Summit puts under one roof like-minded, servant-hearted individuals seeking guidance and direction on behalf of those they pray over in their daily walk. Sharing stories and best practices leads to problem-solving and inspiration by the Spirit. It takes a village to solve issues of this magnitude, and True Charity is a fabulous village resource!”

It’s simple. We are stronger together.

Where Has the Summit Been and Where Will It Be?

For years, Summit attendees gathered in communities close to Joplin, Missouri, near Watered Gardens, the rescue mission where True Charity began. But as the Network has grown, so has the reach of the Summit.

In April 2025, we’re taking it on the road — to Huntsville, Alabama!

With more space, more speakers, and more attendees than ever before, it’s set to be our biggest gathering yet. If you’ve been searching for advisors or wondering if there’s a better way forward, the answer is “yes” — and this is your chance to find that out.

What Does the Summit Content Look Like?

Each year, you’ll hear from dynamic, mainstage speakers who are experienced experts in the poverty alleviation space.

In 2025, they include:

Dr. Brian Fikkert — Founder of the Chalmers Center, Co-author of When Helping Hurts
James Whitford — CEO & Co-founder of True Charity and Watered Gardens Ministries, author of The Crisis of Dependency
Megan Rose — President & CEO of Better Together
Jules Glanzer — Senior Consultant at The Timothy Group, author of The Sound of Leadership

In addition, you’ll benefit from the networking and nitty-gritty that happens in over thirty breakout sessions.

In 2025, you can choose from breakouts across five key tracks:

Building New Programs — Learn how to launch programs that truly empower people (rather than create dependency).
Program Refinement — Assess, measure, and improve your current programs for deeper relational impact.
Fundraising & Volunteerism — Develop strategies for attracting, equipping, and retaining donors and volunteers who believe in your mission.
Influence — Discover how to expand impact beyond your walls through advocacy, community engagement, and awareness strategies.
Infrastructure — Strengthen your mission from the inside out through leadership, sustainability, and avoiding burnout.

If you’ve been searching for a gathering of charity practitioners to learn and grow with – ones passionate about helping others move from temporary aid to true transformation, the annual True Charity Summit is for you!

To learn more about the True Charity Summit, visit truecharity.us/summit.