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Testimonials

  • Dr. Marvin Olasky, World magazine editor, author (Compassionate Conservatism, The American Leader): "New Focus is at the center of the faith-based revolution in povery-fighting. Emphasizing true person-to-person compassion and challenging poor and rich spiritually and materially. New Focus helps to bring about real change in lives, instead of merely passing out spare change."
  • Dr. Amy Sherman, Author (Restorers of Hope: Reaching the Poor): "New Focus is helping churches around the nation move from 'commodity-based' benevolence to a mercy outreach that touches the whole person-body and soul. They have a proven commitment to training churches in the practical 'how-tos' of Christ-centered ministry that emphasizes personal relationships and aims at sustainable, positive transformation in the lives of those served. They are helping churches to make a real difference in the lives of needy families."
  • Art Schoonwald, Pastor (Christian Reformed Church): "New Focus provided the missing piece that we needed as we had been trying to do ministry in the community and reach people for Christ. New Focus ties everything together, the physical and spiritual needs were met and it holds people accountable. At the same time it gives people of the church an opportunity to use their diversity of gifts in a timely and effective way."
  • Richard Bean, Pastor (Clearlake Church of the Nazarene, Clearlake, CA): "We partnered with our denominational leadership and a ministry called Vision 21 to find participants affordable housing. People who have been through New Focus have become credit worthy and candidates for housing."
  • Janie Gruen, New Focus Needs Coordinator (Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette, IN): "We made a difficult break from being a hand-out program to a ministry that sought changed lives. We also decided to extend the outreach of our own ministry by partnering with a small, downtown church that serves low-income families. We offered our [New Focus trained] volunteers and finances to help them meet the needs of their congregation. It's been amazing to see these two fellowships from different denominations and socioeconomic backgrounds come together...to minister to the whole person."
  • Brenda Armstrong (Crown Financial Ministry Single Parents Ministry): Christian Financial Concepts - Money Matters: "New Focus is designed to help families that want to get off welfare. It teaches biblical principles and offers incentives for single parents that meet requirements, which include setting up a budget, attending weekly meetings, and completing assignments. Earned points are traded for goods and services that meet needs."
  • Chris Walchuk, New Focus Needs Coordinator (St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato, MN): The Free Press of Mankato: "We teach people to live below their means, because the [New Focus] program's typical client is someone in survival mode whose finances and credit status are totally out of control. We're not in the business of paying your rent and saying 'Good Luck.' We measure success objectively by people's debt reductions, and subjectively by weekly self-assessments over 18-weeks. Through a group of twelve community churches over five years, more than 100 families, totaling 276 individuals, have been impacted."
  • Deanna Carlson, Adjunct Scholar (Author of "The Welfare of My Neighbor"): "I love New Focus because it provides a way for any church, big or small, rich or poor, to lift up their neighbors in need. New Focus creates a way for anyone in a congregation, no matter their age or state, to get personally involved in life changing outreach. It is hard to say who benefits more from New Focus, the church or the neighborhood. I highly recommend this ministry to your congregation."
  • Dr. Ed Dobson, Pastor of Calvary Church (Grand Rapids, MI): "New Focus has revolutionized our benevolent ministry. It enables us to deal with the whole person and offer long-term solutions."