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GCF Kairos

Introduction

We are Christians who believe that for Christians there is no room for apathy. Our faith should be all embracing and not limited only to the “sacred” but extending to the “secular” as well. Our God is concerned not just for His covenant people, but also for all people. This concern is reflected throughout the gospels in the life of Christ.

Christ’s example for us is one of empathy and compassion for people. If we profess Christ therefore, we must begin with genuine concern for the poor, helpless and destitute.

“Too many of us evangelicals either have been, or maybe still are, irresponsible escapists. Fellowship with each other in the church is more congenial than service in an apathetic and even hostile environment outside....Instead of seeking to evade our social responsibility, we need to open our ears and listen to the voice of Him who calls His people in every age to go out into the lost and lonely world (as he did), in order to live and love, to witness and serve.”
From "Issues Facing Christians Today” by John Stott

Theme Verse

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a Shepherd. Then He said to the disciples. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send workers into His harvest field.” ” (Matthew 9:35-37)

Vision and Mission

In support of Christian work, our vision is for sustainable development of communities through business enterprise with the goal of poverty alleviation.

Ministry Focus

Identify and Evaluate
Qualifying projects have the objective of creating sustainable development for poverty alleviation through business enterprise. Because GCF Kairos is a Christian organisation, projects must be in support of Christian work. Finally, projects must be feasible as long-term ventures with reasonable prospects of poverty alleviation and for modest returns on capital.

Investment/Loan Structure
Investment or funding can take many forms. Example of project types:

  1. Direct Community Support -These projects involve direct funding to communities and would typically include goat-rearing projects, Agri-ventures and cottage industries.
  2. Development Platforms – These projects involve establishing a platform to support a community. For example investment in a training school or self- reliant farms.

Acceptance and Funding
There is considerable flexibility in investment/loan structures but guidelines for micro-enterprise investments or micro-loans will include the following:

  1. Supervision by a trusted sponsor
  2. Shared commitment of the community to repay loans or to develop shared investments
  3. Maximum caps on funding
  4. Guidelines as to repayment
  5. Reporting requirements

Repayment and Support
In most cases, we would require month repayment of loans. Every quarter, a detailed report on the project is also required. The project will be supervised by a volunteer, who will also look into providing expertise and support from other volunteers.

Financial Gifts and Governance
GCF Kairos aims to raise 3 million Singapore dollars in committed funds to the work by the end of its third year as an established non-government organisation (NGO). However, we will not accept financial gifts until we can be sure that processes for safeguarding gifts and executing our objectives are in place. We hope to be able to accept your gifts by the end of 2008.

The funds committed to GCF Kairos will be managed by Trustees appointed by the Council of the GCF under a trust deed that limits the use of trust funds to the objectives of GCF Kairos. Currently, the three appointed Trustees are all professionals, a lawyer, a doctor and an accountant, who are current members of the GCF Council. GCF Kairos in not an investment fund so all gifts to the work will not be repaid and any profit from micro-enterprise projects will not be disbursed but will be invested in other projects.

Prayer
Please remember us in your prayers. We are still a start-up ministry and need prayer in the following areas:

  • We are looking at three projects presently in Thailand, Myanmar and India but communication has been difficult.
  • The legal and organisation structure for GCF Kairos is progressing but more needs to be done and we need good advisers.
  • We have assembled a group of supporters and have commitment of start-up funds but we need to bring people together.

Volunteer
We need people with skills and a heart for helping the poor. Whether it is teaching English in Indonesia, helping set up a farm in Sabah or teaching elementary book keeping to villager in India, we need committed women and men who are willing to make a difference by helping others.

We will, in most cases, expect you to carry your own expenses because the trust funds allocated to the ministry is intend for the work. But in return, the hope is that you will gain a sense of our Lord in the faces of the poor that we help.

Brief History

GCF Kairos is a micro-enterprise ministry initiated by the Graduates’ Christian Fellowship as the GCF Council believed that the GCF is uniquely positioned to provide a platform to support missionary work in Asia through the development of micro-enterprises.. The GCF Council officially approved the formation of GCF Kairos as a ministry in May 2007. The first governing committee of GCF Kairos are Timothy Goh, Peng Chung Mein and Seah Yen Goon.

Visit the website at http://www.gcfkairos.com