Faith in the Fray

Both the Old and New Testaments articulate a comprehensive theology of poverty, grounding the obligation to alleviate it in the nature of God and the demands of covenant justice. This paper undertakes a systematic theological examination of biblical teaching on poverty, drawing on a mixed-methods study of the Victory Outreach Ministry Church (VOMC) in Bungoma County, Kenya. Four biblical models of poverty alleviation are identified: the Mosaic economic legislation model, the prophetic justice model, the Jesus ministry model, and the early church community model. Findings reveal that while VOMC integrates these models into its congregational teachings emphasising God's ownership, stewardship, and integrity, significant structural barriers persist. Empirical data indicate that 78% of respondents struggle with unemployment and large household sizes, while 83% lack personal property, highlighting a gap between theological mandate and material reality. Furthermore, regression analysis identifies that internal institutional constraints and a "donor dilemma" regarding international funding account for significant variance in the effectiveness of peacebuilding and development efforts. The paper concludes that while a holistic, transformational approach to poverty alleviation is theologically mandated, its practical success in Sub-Saharan Africa requires moving beyond symbolic relief toward robust economic empowerment. To fulfil its mission, the church must bridge the gap between biblical conviction and sustained community action by addressing the structural deficits of its members. Ultimately, this study argues that poverty alleviation is not peripheral but essential to the church’s character; a faith that does not engage with material suffering remains incomplete. What remains is the institutional will to translate these ancient mandates into modern, self-sustaining developmental frameworks

Economic Justice · Faith · Harm · Legislation · Mandate · Obligation · Outreach · Poverty · Christian Theology and Mission · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Religion, Society, and Development