In 2011, local church-planting teams in Sierra Leone began partnering with GAiN Canada and the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy (JFCPS), with a vision to share the Good News of Jesus with their neighbors. In the 14 years since, these efforts have resulted in over 1,000 churches being started. Praise God!
Now, at HOPE International, we’re excited to be invited into the incredible work God has been doing in Sierra Leone by partnering with local churches and equipping them with our savings group model so they can better serve their communities.
Responding to poverty
In Sierra Leone, most people follow Islam or indigenous religions: Just 12% of the country’s population are Christians (Joshua Project). And according to the World Bank, 41% of people in the country live on less than $3 a day, the baseline for extreme poverty. Though rich in natural resources, Sierra Leone has experienced enormous challenges from political dynamics, civil war, and economic exploitation that have led it to be ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world.
In response, churches in Sierra Leone have long been on a mission to share Christ’s love and the hope of the Gospel with their neighbors. In partnership with GAiN Canada and JFCPS, churches have trained leaders, hosted showings of the JESUS film for thousands of people, offered discipleship for new believers, and prioritized church planting. Together, these groups have also been committed to addressing material, social, and economic needs in Sierra Leone, so that people experience holistic transformation and flourishing in Christ.
Expanding the response
Building on the impact already made by local churches and their partners, HOPE and GAiN Canada have now formally agreed to work together to bring savings groups to church partners in Sierra Leone.
In a savings group, 15–25 people gather to study Scripture, save money, and make small loans to one another from their pooled savings. Together, members deepen their faith, build relationships, and use funds from their savings or loans to start or grow businesses, pay for children’s education, and respond to emergencies, like illness.
In early 2025, HOPE began training local leaders in the model, equipping them to start groups in their churches. The vision is to equip 40 churches to reach 800 families through savings groups.
Stephanie McDonald, economic empowerment director at GAiN, notes that holistic financial services are exactly what Sierra Leonean families need right now: “Our partnership in Sierra Leone will help alleviate poverty in all its forms. We believe the church-centered savings group ministry has come at just the right time.”
HOPE’s president and CEO, Peter Greer, agrees. “This model of Christ, community, and capital is empowering people to be change-makers in their communities,” he says. “There is so much more in store as we invest in more families and bring the savings group program to Sierra Leone.”
Pray with us for this new partnership, along with other needs across the HOPE network, by subscribing to our monthly prayer update.
