Our Approach

Over the years, we have developed a distinct approach to caring for orphaned and at-risk children:

• Jesus Christ is central to all we do is not only one of our core values but it is the heartbeat of everything we do.

Loving Shepherd Ministries is not just a humanitarian organization, nor or we content to label everything we do in the name of Jesus.  Our desire is for LSM to be an extension of the Kingdom of Christ and to pour His love and hope into the lives of orphaned and at-risk children.  If we are to be successful in our mission, Jesus must show up in everything we do.  We recognize that He is bigger than the best organizational plan, program or strategy. The work of LSM is HIS work, by HIS power, through HIS spirit – all for HIS glory.

• Family First

• Comprehensive Care - LSM’s mission statement directs us to nurture orphaned and at-risk children to “reach their full, God-given potential.”  This may strike some as being impossibly broad and difficult.  However, we intuitively desire our own children to reach their full, God-given potential – why should we accept less for all the children of the world?

Our mission statement wisely commits us to engage deeply and holistically with orphaned and at-risk children.  For example, it’s not that a feeding program is unnecessary, but it is insufficient when the recipients’ stomachs are full but their hearts are empty.  It’s not that teaching the Bible is unnecessary, but it is insufficient when the students’ hearts are full but their stomachs are empty. Christ healed both body and soul. We are called to do the same.

• Cultural Respect - LSM is a listening ministry.  We realize that we don’t have all of the answers for helping orphaned and at-risk children. Therefore, we engage with cultural leaders within a country to hear their solutions, ideas and vision. This practice flows from our respect and appreciation for how God has gifted all of His followers with different insights, wisdom and perspectives.  Our heart is to empower local, indigenous believers to develop and implement their own biblical solutions.  We are called to partnership not paternalism.

• Sustainability

The greatest program or project, if it is not sustained over time, is ultimately ineffective for long-term transformation.  Because LSM is committed to the long-term transformation of individuals and cultures, we place high value on sustainability.  Successful sustainability is a result of two dual objectives:

1. Working to mobilize local, indigenous resources to carry out a particular ministry. This allows Western resources to be a complementary source of funds rather than the only source.
2. Educating donors that their support is most effective if it is long-term.  Our Homes of Hope monthly sponsors, for example, understand that their financial support does immense good because it is ongoing.

Our distinct approach requires much effort and prayer.  God has blessed this approach by producing much fruit in the lives of orphaned and at-risk children around the world through Loving Shepherd Ministries.