Carmen Salomé is the Freedom & Virtue Institute’s Immediate Past Board President and currently serves on the FVI Board. She is very active in our local SW Florida Community.
As an alumni, I was better prepared for what to expect this year. The schedule was full and the content and discussions where deep and thought provoking. I enjoyed meeting Christians from around the world focused on helping to lift people out of mental, physical, and spiritual poverty through their various ministries.My schedule was packed with 11 sessions. The topics ranged from economics, to human flourishing, to religious liberty. Two sessions stood out for me.
“Created to Flourish” was presented by Peter Greer, author of the book by the same name. Peter discussed the need to “dig deep” to learn what is the root cause of poverty. When we primarily work with the poor we help with food, housing, and clothing when in reality was is really needed is a job to get out of poverty and save dignity. He encouraged me to ask what is stopping this individual from flourishing?
Peter reminds me, that mindset, is everything. It is time for a mindset shift when working with the poor. Let’s look through a different lens. Ask yourself, how can I help this individual be all they can be? Remembering that if we are created in theimage of God, they have what it takes to flourish. We are to walk along side of the individual helping along the way – all the while maintaining their dignity.
This reminder comes just as my community is preparing for the large back to school give away events. “Created to Flourish” challenged me to review the community activities I am involved in and ask myself “am I really helping or hurting”? I enjoyed Peter Greer so much I changed my schedule and attended his second talk “Rooting for Rivals”.
What causes those of us in non-profits to stop celebrating what is happening in the broader field? For most, it is the thought that we live in a world of scarcity instead of abundance. The world is not limited. God has enough. There is more than enough for everyone. This too is a mindset shift for many of us in the NGO field. It is not about our organization, but about our work for the Kingdom.
How do we get to that posture? Peter tells us to first – celebrate success where we see them. Stop competing and start collaborating. Focus on the bigger vision! Second, people tend to support the initiative not the organization. Third, work on more of a collective vision. It is this clarity and review that allows you to continue to adjust for your mission to move forward. I signed up for Peter’s book launch of “Rooting For Rivals” I just received my copy and can’t wait to dig in. I recently attended a workshop presented by our local community foundation on non profits collaborating and fundraising. Rooting for Rivals was a great confirmation of that same theme.
The plenary speakers each evening were all engaging, but for me it was thefirst night speaker Maria Corina Machado that really made an impact. Maria is a former congresswoman for Venezuela. She was removed from office by the current regime and cannot travel out of her country. She appeared at the event by live stream. She bravely spoke about the conditions of oppression the people of Venezuela face. She shared her hope for freedom for her country. Her message comes at time some in our own country express views in line with a more socialistic society.
I reflected how Americans can take freedoms for granted. Hearing Maria speak of daily life in Venezuela seems surreal. We are blessed to live in America founded on Judeo-Christian principles based on the bible. We must never lose that foundation. I follow Maria on twitter and continue to pray for her safety and the liberation of the people of Venezuela.As a second year attendee of Acton University, I feel I absorbed more information this year. I spent more time in reflection, and feel better equipped to help share the message of liberty – grounded in my Christian faith and armed with the inspired word of God.
Carmen Salomé
