On every continent, cities draw huge numbers of people resulting in ever-expanding populations of urban poor. Their poverty is more than an absence of food and shelter. It is total repression of the human spirit. Currently, CMF has urban poor ministries in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Pachuca (Mexico), Arusha (Tanzania), and Nairobi (Kenya), as well as one family serving as missionaries-at-large for our teams and as consultants to others.

Our primary ministry approach that we have used with great success among the urban poor is Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Through CHE our missionaries work with the local church, then train and empower local people to participate in their community’s transformation. It means helping the poor see who God intended them to be, training them to identify their major problems in life, and guiding them in finding their own God-given solutions.

CHE often includes instruction on hygiene, clean water, safe cooking, latrines, health care, and other basic life issues. Communities are also instructed on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Microenterprise provides opportunity to encourage income generating activities for the poor, sometimes in partnership with a local church. Vocational training enables individuals to learn skills that will enable them to be gainfully employed. CHE outreach is committed to mature Christian leadership as programs are oriented toward reaching non-Christians and focused on evangelism, follow-up, and discipleship.

Research is ongoing on using these methods in urban centers in Latin America and Asia as well.

For more information, contact CMF International 317.578.2700