Faith in Action: The Bible’s Role in Poverty Reduction amidst the Challenges Facing the Church in Liberia

This paper explores the transformative role of biblical teachings in shaping poverty reduction efforts by the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, a nation struggling with post-conflict recovery and economic hardship. Amid widespread poverty and high youth unemployment, the UMC has become a critical force in community development, leveraging its moral authority and extensive networks to address socio-economic challenges. The study examines how biblical principles such as compassion, justice, and communal responsibility underpin initiatives like microfinance programs, vocational training, and educational support. Using a qualitative research approach, the analysis incorporates interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews to assess the successes and challenges of the UMC's work. The findings reveal positive impacts on poverty alleviation, tempered by constraints including limited resources, governance challenges, and societal expectations. This study contributes to the discourse on faith-based development by offering actionable insights for policymakers and faith leaders on integrating biblical teachings into sustainable poverty reduction strategies. It concludes with recommendations to enhance the UMC’s impact through partnerships, improved governance, and collaboration with other development stakeholders, while highlighting areas for future research, particularly the long-term outcomes of faith-based interventions.