Vision

This big-picture point of view is what gives the organization an ability to look beyond the project at hand and toward reaching greater numbers of people.  Beyond sheer numbers, SPI seeks to go beyond projects and reach down into the hearts of the people it touches and positively affect them with the gospel. The breadth and depth of our vision is outlined below.

Breadth:  As a motor vehicle driver must be aware of both his near and distant surroundings, Starve Poverty has set its immediate sights upon the island of Exuma, and has worked there for a number of years touching the lives of a number of families in a number of villages, through practical means.  With each project, SPI has also set a number of goals for the future, that its scope might be broadened.  These are:
• Plant a church on the island not with a visiting pastor, who may not be able to culturally identify with his flock, but with a Bahamian who can carry on the vision of Starve Poverty in his homeland.
• Continue to develop relationships with the local Bahamian government, who supports the efforts of SPI, and eventually make inroads with the central Bahamian government, so that governmental leaders there can learn how SPI might benefit its people.
• Expand the work of SPI to other Caribbean nations, to include Haiti and Jamaica.

Depth:  We believe in touching the hearts and minds of those to whom we minister, as we provide for their physical needs.  We have been successful at breaking the chains of poverty when it comes to housing and clothing needs and have also been successful in breaking the mindset of poverty, when it is used to perpetuate this condition that also leads to depression and addiction.  Efforts that have succeeded in the past and that we will continue to employ include:
• Personify selflessness and sacrifice. SPI demonstrate sacrifice to the Bahamian people.  For example, the finishing team typically consists of Up from the Mire, a group of Richard Stockton College students who sacrifice their spring breaks.
• Evangelism. Up from the Mire has also held a carnival and shown the Jesus film to nearly a hundred children at a time.  Building projects are used by the professional team to share with those receiving new or improved housing that it is the love of God for His people that constrains the team to do the work.
• Counsel those in need.  Knowing that poverty leads to depression and a variety of addictions, SPI seeks to minister to the souls of its beneficiaries through individual counseling.  We also empower the many local church pastors with a greater ability to minister to their flocks, thereby turning both hearts and minds away from the slavery that poverty can become to those who have known it as their master.