PHILOSOPHY
WCMA does not believe that “hand outs” per se is the best approach to helping able individuals rid themselves of poverty. Hand outs merely prolong misery and does not facilitate a path out of poverty. Therefore, WCMA in general does not disperse funds for direct daily expenses, crisis situations or church building projects (at any phase).
The scriptures teach that if a man does not work he should not eat. However, finding work can prove to be more of a problem than just being poor. Thus the “seed grant” program is designed to help create new “seed grant” projects (co-ops) that will produce both work and renewable products, services and revenues over time. Initial revenue cycles are reinvested in the co-op (not spent) until the co-op has generated enough revenue (400% of the original “seed grant”) to donate the original “seed” amount back to WCMA. In this way, WCMA can expand its ability to sponsor additional “seed grant” projects elsewhere.
The co-op by design will donate a percentage of its goods and services to co-op members. The sweat equity (volunteer work) of co-op members is tracked and eventually equitable goods and services are donated back to members that reasonably offset said sweat equity. Volunteer sweat equity is the backbone of the co-op and is a member’s investment in the co-op. A solid well operated co-op will provide more than ample long term production and services for its members. It will positively improve the health and welfare of co-op families, even an entire community.
Finally, co-ops provide an opportunity for recipients to prove that they can be good stewards and business managers by starting with a very small endeavor that will eventually lead to much larger co-ops. They should be administered by reputable church members who are trustworthy and have the interest of the church family at heart (bishops, elders, pastors, apostles, etc. should not administer the coop). A percentage (10%) of the co-op profits must also be donated (ongoing) to the local WCMA Affiliated ministry that qualified for the “seed grant”basis in the first place.
POTENTIAL CO-OPS
There are many co-op possibilities, but the WCMA encourages simple, inexpensive startups that can blossom into stable, profitable and successful co-ops. Below is a list of acceptable startups.
· Agricultural (poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, beef, fruit, vegetables)
· Manufacturing (clothes, rugs, furniture, pottery, pots/pans, utensils)
· Services (shops: repair, barber, tailoring, food products, house wares)
QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications to apply for “seed grants” are as follows:
1. Be an Active WCMA Affiliate member for a minimum of one year.
2. Must be actively teaching/preaching Apostolic Pentecostal doctrines as delineated in Disciples of Christ Volumes.
3. Complete an application and if awarded a “seed grant” agree to comply with (by both written confirmation and by action) the terms and conditions of the “seed grant” program.
APPLICATION
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