In this video interview, Pedro Lacen, director of microfinance at Esperanza International, HOPE’s partner in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, discusses the unique role of Christ-centered microfinance in the Caribbean.
Several months ago, Peter Greer, HOPE’s president, sat down with Pedro to discuss Esperanza’s work in the Caribbean. In this excerpt, Pedro talks about the particular impact Esperanza and HOPE are having as Christian organizations and shares a story of how the God Provides films, shown at community bank meetings through HOPE’s partnership with Crown Financial Ministries, are impacting clients through their simple presentation of key stories from the Bible.
As I’ve made the transition to HOPE International [from the for-profit sector], I’ve been struck by the level of connectedness between ministry organizations. Even organizations whose missions seem to have nothing to do with one another invariably have some common connection: former employees, connections through churches, friends of friends. While the ministries themselves are radically different, the passion for spreading God’s Word and their welcoming spirit are universal. As a newcomer to HOPE International, it’s been so inspiring to learn about the breadth of ways that these organizations answer God’s call.
I had the opportunity to interview Pasteur Julien from Centre Chrétienne Néhémie (Nehemiah Christian Center Church) while a reimbursement meeting was taking place in his church.
