"Poverty is not just lack of income--poverty also means not having assets, not having a decent place to live, and not having hopes and dreams for the future." [The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, page 16.] God calls all Christians to be involved with those who are “poor.” Psalm 41 says, “Blessed is he who has regard for the poor.”

Starfish Ministries helps churches connect their members with families in their communities who live in poverty in a way that is healthy and affirming for all.

Those living in poverty did not get there overnight. So, successful ministry to them does not happen without significant long-term effort. Sometimes we hesitate to get involved in such long-term ministries. But in Matthew 16, Jesus tells us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself… For whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Yes, God calls Christians to sacrifice—our time, our energy, and even our need to see immediate results. “My generation [doesn’t]… invest much of anything unless we’re relatively certain we’ll be rewarded. But following the King...may demand that we deny our rush to ‘cash in’ and introduce ourselves to the discipline of long, unmeasured spending… Jesus...would call it faithful obedience—and He doesn’t relent in asking for it.” [From an article by Leigh McLeroy, My Year with Sam, Discipleship Journal, May/June 2007, page 59.]

Ministry like this can sound frightening. And yet often all that’s needed to make a difference in someone’s life is some of our time, our acceptance and a listening ear. The lives of those around us who live in poverty are often marked by isolation. They need healthy people in their lives to give them support and encouragement.

That’s what Starfish Ministries desires to do — make the connection and work with families in healthy, non-dependency producing ways!

Sylvia had been Laura’s ally for about six months when she was asked what she has gained from her involvement:

“[I am blessed]…[s]eeing her grow in her skills and abilities by offering a listening ear and encouraging her to see herself as I see her...a vibrant person who has already met many challenges in her life…“[I]t is not advice they need, but the encouragement to explore the answers and...using you as a sounding board to work it out,...then talking with them at a later date and hearing how they...solved their problem. I think this is a piece that has been missing in Laura’s life and probably in the [lives]...of others. Letting them know that you believe in them can bring a great satisfaction to you...as you see them develop and start to believe in themselves.”

Starfish Ministries staff: 1. Evaluates each family’s level of motivation to make change, 2. Assists the families in identifying the goals they want to reach, 3. Provides recruitment materials for use in your congregation, 4. Helps congregation(s) organize to provide meals and childcare, if they want to include a community meal as part of their ministry, 5. Trains interested individuals to be “allies” to struggling families, 6. Facilitates the beginning and ending of the supportive relationship between the families and their allies, 7. Acts as a resource to the allies and the families, and 8. Meets with the families and the allies regularly to assess progress toward goals and to assist in addressing any issues.

"Minnesota needs strong communities characterized by two broad elements: a strong physical infrastructure...and another more personal infrastructure that allows individuals to support each other in a safe and healthful environment as they move toward financial independence." [The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, page 28.]