OPERATIONS: We work to empower…

1. 1.In-Country Program Self-Sustainability: Since the inception of Community Uplift Ministries and the Circle of Light (CoL) program in 2002, a principal objective has been for the in-country partner to become financially self-sustaining—meaning that revenue generated from the sales of energy products and services would fully cover the CoL country partner’s administrative and operations costs. Toward that end, donor funding and dependancy is incrementally decreased as the energy sales and program revenue generated increases.
   

2. 2.In-Country Leadership Development, Empowerment & Autonomy Community Uplift Ministries works with national leaders within the country of operations to implement and sustain its various programs so that the in-country partner functions with an increasing responsibility for self-sustainability, independence and autonomy.
   

3. 3.Accessible & Affordable Resources: Self-sustainability can not be attained by fostering ongoing relationships of dependency to Western funding sources. Therefore, the only way to build lasting transformation is to make necessary resources available at affordable prices so that internal economies are nurtured and given room to grown.
   

4. 4.Personal Co-Investment: In the area of economic development, we believe that give-away programs may do great harm through good intensions. Therefore, we see great value in the recipient of resources sharing in the cost through an initial personal co-investment for the goods and service received.
   

5. 5.Scalable & Replicable Program: We do not wish to create one-off projects for each new community. Therefore, it is important to create a programmatic model that can be replicated from community-to-community that can be scaled based on the size of the community.
   

6. 6.Strategic Alliances with other Development and Humanitarian ministries/Organizations: We believe it is vitally important to do a few things well. Therefore, we will not create programs for all the essential needs we identify. Instead, we will concentrate on the areas we do well and establish strategic alliances in the other areas. This is the sole purpose in Synergy Initiatives creation, to work together with God.

OUTREACH: We pray and sacrifice in order to facilitate…

1. 1.Christ-Centered Connections:
   We are believers in Jesus and are committed to honor him in all we do.  We commit to partner with followers of Jesus around the world to respond to his call to serve the poor and the suffering, and to bring healing where there is sickness, brokenness and division.
   

2. 2.Holistic Ministry that cares for the whole person and community: Since poverty is not one problem, but the combination of many problems, we believe it is important to bundle development resources in targeted communities. Thereby embracing the belief that lasting transformation at any level will only occur by working together to create lasting friendships and sustainable enterprise.
   

3. 3.Transformational Development as the goal of Discipleship: Discipleship is not only a greater spiritual awareness. It yields every aspect of life to the Godhead; socially, physically, economically and spiritually. True discipleship empowers a greater awareness of belonging to God and His family. By caring for a persons felt needs, there is an instinctive connection made to God. As gratitude swells, the seeds of faith, hope and love are planted and grow through the love of God in His followers. In this caring way, a person has the opportunity to find belief by belonging to a larger connected purpose and family—the family of God. Faith comes by hearing, and one of the most powerful ways of speaking is through purposeful acts of love and kindness.
   

4. 4.Strategic Alliances with other Evangelism & Discipleship Organizations Ministries: We believe it is vitally important to do a few things well. Therefore, we will not create programs for all the spiritual needs we identify. Instead, we will concentrate on the areas we do well and establish strategic alliances in the other areas. This is the sole purpose in Synergy Initiatives creation, to work together with God.
   

5. 5.The Spirit’s guidance through attentive listening and wise counsel: No person or group of people can become holy in a hurry. It takes time to listen, endurance to stick with it and obedience to risk moving. We don’t have any of the journey mapped out clearly. So we live dependent on His spirit to guide and direct our steps.
   

LIKE-MINDED STRATEGIC ALLIANCES: When we say we work together with “like-minded” ministries and organizations, these are a few of the categories we have in mind: