About Us
Paradigm Shift is a non-profit organization committed to Christian discipleship and poverty reduction in the developing world. By working alongside established churches and ministries in urban areas, we train leaders to teach both business skills and principles of Jesus to the entrepreneurial poor.
After the entrepreneurial poor complete the basic business and entrepreneurship course, they are eligible to apply for a small loan to expand their existing enterprise. As each loan is repaid, it is recycled and given to another entrepreneur, giving multiple families the chance to get improve their lives and their businesses, and simultaneously they are introduced to Biblical truth and are connected to a community of faith where they learn what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Ultimately, the goal of Paradigm Shift is to see the local church strategically serve the poor and for the poor to come to know Christ while being given the skills and opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.
We are currently piloting Paradigm Shift's first program in South Africa. Please see our "Program Model" page for more detailed information.
After the entrepreneurial poor complete the basic business and entrepreneurship course, they are eligible to apply for a small loan to expand their existing enterprise. As each loan is repaid, it is recycled and given to another entrepreneur, giving multiple families the chance to get improve their lives and their businesses, and simultaneously they are introduced to Biblical truth and are connected to a community of faith where they learn what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Ultimately, the goal of Paradigm Shift is to see the local church strategically serve the poor and for the poor to come to know Christ while being given the skills and opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.
We are currently piloting Paradigm Shift's first program in South Africa. Please see our "Program Model" page for more detailed information.
Core Values
- INTEGRITY
Transparency and accountability in all we do. - DISCIPLESHIP
Cultivating the personal and spiritual growth of entrepreneurs as followers of Jesus Christ. - EMPOWERMENT:
Training, microcredit, and mentoring - which opens doors to stability and opportunity - LOCALLY-ROOTED
Culturally-relevant ministry, centered in the local church. - ENDURING CHANGE
Spiritual and economic transformation that impacts families for a lifetime
Dont look
Why We Exist
Paradigm Shift empowers and equips local churches and ministries to mobilize active participation in programs of business training, mentoring, discipleship and microcredit.
Each of the participating entrepreneurs is introduced to following Jesus and experience how God’s reign can become the transforming moment of their lives.
Through microloans and business training, entrepreneurs encounter a community of faith committed to seeing their families experience lasting change as their business expands and they are better able to provide for their families.
Each of the participating entrepreneurs is introduced to following Jesus and experience how God’s reign can become the transforming moment of their lives.
Through microloans and business training, entrepreneurs encounter a community of faith committed to seeing their families experience lasting change as their business expands and they are better able to provide for their families.
Call To Serve The Poor
God's Heart:
Serve the Poor
“I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”
In reading the Bible, we clearly see the demonstration of God’s insatiable love for the poor.
“The needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.”
As Jesus walked the earth, He continued to impress upon His followers the sound of His resounding heartbeat to save the oppressed.
“Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”
Because we are created in the image of God, it is undeniable that we are chosen as the ones to carry out His passion:
“He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; He will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.”
Although there are many ways to care for those in need, one long-lasting way is to give them opportunity to create and provide for themselves and their families.
“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”
Mission and Vision
The mission of Paradigm Shift is to train churches to provide business training, microcredit, mentoring and discipleship to the urban poor.
The vision of Paradigm Shift is churches empowered to meet the spiritual and economic needs of the poor in their communities.
Leadership
Jedd Schroy
Jedd
Schroy has served as an international consultant for numerous
community- based organizations in South America, Africa, Asia and
Southeast Asia, teaching each organization how to improve their
programs, funding, outreach and effectiveness.
In the financial sector, Jedd was previously an Investment Branch
Manager in Denver, Colorado at the full-service brokerage house Edward Jones. Jedd also evaluated international project finance proposals while developing investment project profiles for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Additionally, he has also worked for two nationally influential non-profit organizations, the National Association of Evangelicals, where he held the role of the Director of Development and for the American Institute of Architects, where he was the National Marketing Specialist.
Jedd holds a BA in International Relations from Oral Roberts University
and has led, facilitated and served in evangelism efforts, church
planting projects and various outreaches throughout the developing
world, traveling and working in 31 countries. He is also a published
author for various Christian magazines.
As Paradigm Shift’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Jedd’s duties
include strengthening strategic partnerships, fundraising, managing
public relations, vision-casting and overseeing the execution of all
strategic plans.
Janelle Schroy
Janelle
Schroy has been involved in teaching, training and program management
for multiple international development and poverty reduction
initiatives. She was a Master Trainer at Making Cents International, with whom she travelled extensively teaching Training-of-Trainer courses on microentrepreneurship
and how to develop trainers and master trainers, thus empowering
non-profit organizations to run business training courses throughout
the developing world. She led the implementation of the consulting
firm’s largest training program, teaching entrepreneurs how to use
technology to grow their microbusinesses. Janelle also taught high
school literacy at Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School in one of the poorest areas of DC.
While in Washington, Janelle worked at the Fund for Peace, where she was a Conference Coordinator for the Regional Responses to Internal War Initiative. Janelle also coordinated international development projects for the US Agency for International Development and the Asian Development Bank as a Project Manager at John Snow, Inc. (JSI).
Janelle has served in pastoral staff positions at two churches and has facilitated many international service and educational projects, traveling and working in 31 countries. Janelle is a published author for several Christian magazines, writing on the topics of poverty, missions and family. Janelle received her BA in International Affairs from Westmont College.
As Paradigm Shift’s Co-Founder and South Africa Project Director, Janelle’s duties include program management oversight, communications with partner churches and stakeholders, writing, developing, and managing all Paradigm Shift curriculum and training programs.
While in Washington, Janelle worked at the Fund for Peace, where she was a Conference Coordinator for the Regional Responses to Internal War Initiative. Janelle also coordinated international development projects for the US Agency for International Development and the Asian Development Bank as a Project Manager at John Snow, Inc. (JSI).
Janelle has served in pastoral staff positions at two churches and has facilitated many international service and educational projects, traveling and working in 31 countries. Janelle is a published author for several Christian magazines, writing on the topics of poverty, missions and family. Janelle received her BA in International Affairs from Westmont College.
As Paradigm Shift’s Co-Founder and South Africa Project Director, Janelle’s duties include program management oversight, communications with partner churches and stakeholders, writing, developing, and managing all Paradigm Shift curriculum and training programs.
Board Of Directors
Paradigm Shift’s Board of Directors guide and oversee the nonprofit organization and are committed to thoughtfully and prayerfully making strategic decisions in the best interest of carrying out the mission of Paradigm Shift.
Phil Renicks
For 22 years Phil Renicks has served the Christian school community in the global context. As Vice President of International Ministries for the Association of Christian Schools International from 1985 until his retirement in 2007 he traveled extensively throughout the world developing services to Christian schools focused on equipping and empowering Christian leaders. Under Dr. Renicks' leadership, five international regions have been formed serving Latin America, Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Southern Africa. Today, ACSI’s International Ministries office works with more than 1,300 schools serving over 300,000 students in 106 countries.In addition to leading the association in serving both national and international Christian schools outside of North America, Dr. Renicks led the association in developing and promoting missions education in the North American member schools. Currently, Dr. Renicks is a consultant to Christian educators through Greybeal & Associates.
Jedd Medefind
Currently, Jedd is the President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Jedd ended his former role as the head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in January, 2009. Concurrent with this post, Jedd also served as special assistant to former President George W. Bush. From 2005-2007 he was director for the U.S. Department of Labor's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. He has also worked as a Chief of Staff in the California State Legislature and in posts with organizations ranging from the California Community Renewal Project to Price-Waterhouse, Moscow.Jedd has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, including projects in Guatemala, Bangladesh, the Kingdom of Lesotho and a number of other countries.
Jedd is also the author of two books. The book Four Souls, which he wrote with three close friends, explores questions of faith, poverty and community amid a journey around the globe. His most recent book, The Revolutionary Communicator, examines the grace and greatness of Jesus’ approach to communication and leadership. He has also written numerous articles and is also an accomplished speaker, consistently challenging audiences to "pursue the things that matter most" in vocation, faith and community.
Rachel Medefind
Rachel Medefind grew up in the Philippines as part of a
missionary family. She’s spent time in other parts of Asia as well, including serving through physical therapy at a Christian hospital in southern Taiwan.
Among Rachel’s many passions are the deep struggles faced by women in difficult situations. Alongside international issues, she has served locally for seven years as a counselor at crisis pregnancy centers in Sacramento, CA and Washington, DC.
At present, the core of Rachel’s service to the Lord is nurturing the hearts and minds of her three daughters, and making her home a place of grace and hospitality. She also partners with her husband, Jedd, in the work of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Greg Baca
Greg is the co-founder of Go International, a mission’s organization committed to reaching the nations of the world. Through the use of cutting edge technology and innovative ministry tools, Go International seeks to share the Gospel in a way that is easily understood and culturally relevant.Since its inception, Go International enabled hundreds of young people travel overseas preaching the message of Christ. Greg also co-leads Go Internship, a missions training program designed to give young people the practical tools necessary for success in both short and long term missions.
Brett Furlong
Brett is the Pastor of Family Ministries at Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida. Brett is also a International Ambassador for World Vision International and often travels to Africa on their behalf. He has pioneered the collaborative partnership between city governments in the US and World Vision community development projects in Zambia. Brett has worked in missions in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Albania, South Africa, and Uganda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please
take some time to review these frequently asked questions. If you still
have more questions after reading these, please feel free to contact us
through our contact us link at the top of the page.
Note: We currently have two staffing vacancies. If you are interested in joining our team in South Africa, email info@shiftingparadigms.org for more information.
Who am I helping?
Paradigm Shift comes alongside the current vision of local churches whose desire is to strategically impact the lives of the entrepreneurial poor. You are helping empower these churches through Paradigm Shift to teach the poor how to create their own sustainable income while providing them with an opportunity to come to know Christ, be discipled and become a part of a community of faith.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. Paradigm Shift is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible. In January of the following year, you will receive a letter thanking you for your support and outlining the amounts you have donated. This letter may be used for the purposes of tax deductions.
Do you charge interest on loans to the poor?
Yes. microcredit loans usually have an interest rate of approximately 18 – 40% of the loan. The percentage depends on many factors, such as: area, accessibility, size of loan, etc. The interest covers the cost of administering the loan and providing the entrepreneurs with ongoing business training. Without microcredit loans, the common alternative for the poor is local “money lenders”, who regularly charge between 120 and 300 percent, a rate that keeps people stuck in poverty without a chance to escape. Currently, Paradigm Shift charges 20%, which typically amounts to $4.50 over the course of four months. Obviously, this does not cover the cost, but helps ensure the entrepreneurs value the service they are receiving.
Microcredit Definition: Small repayable loans (usually around $185 USD) to expand small enterprises for entrepreneurs who cannot access credit from formal financial institutions.
It is a loan and not a gift, so there is a sense of ownership and dignity that is inherent in the process. This stops any attitude of dependence and rewards hard work and dedication.
Microcredit Definition: Small repayable loans (usually around $185 USD) to expand small enterprises for entrepreneurs who cannot access credit from formal financial institutions.
It is a loan and not a gift, so there is a sense of ownership and dignity that is inherent in the process. This stops any attitude of dependence and rewards hard work and dedication.
Are the poor credit-worthy?
Surprisingly, yes. For those who have never been given an opportunity to get out of poverty, when they receive a loan, they are committed to repaying it. They highly value the chance to change their lives and provide for their families. Repayment rates on microcredit loans are about 96-98%, higher than commercial banks anywhere in the world.
In which countries are you working?
In the first stage of Paradigm Shift’s development, we have conducted research in the following countries:
Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and The Philippines.
In January 2009, Paradigm Shift launched the pilot program in South Africa. Stay Connected and sign up for updates. Also check the Paradigm Shift blog for all the latest developments.
Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and The Philippines.
In January 2009, Paradigm Shift launched the pilot program in South Africa. Stay Connected and sign up for updates. Also check the Paradigm Shift blog for all the latest developments.
What motivates your work?
In the Bible, Jesus delineated a very clear mandate to serve the poor and we understand this to be the responsibility of His followers. We are motivated by Jesus’ love in us and the desire to establish innovative, sustainable ways to empower local believers to serve their communities.
How are you funded?
Paradigm Shift is funded by a combination of committed people, churches, small groups, businesses and grants. Some individuals give one-time gifts to carry out the program and some have committed to monthly support for Paradigm Shift’s field team members: Jedd and Janelle Schroy, Elizabeth Bennett, Greg Skowronski, Cate Carroll and Michelle Livie.
How poor are those who receive microcredit loans?
Most of the poor who receive credit are people who live below the poverty line in South Africa. Typically, this means the live on less than $7 a day that is not enough to adequately support themselves and/or their families. The microcredit loans are for individual entrepreneurs specifically for income-generating enterprises.
Why should I donate to Paradigm Shift instead of another organization?
Paradigm Shift works strictly with Christian churches and ministries and equips them to bring spiritual and economic transformation through training, microcredit and Christian discipleship. Many other organizations do one of these things, but not all three in a holistic outreach rooted in the local church. We strongly believe that it is important to meet the physical needs of a person but even more important is a relationship with Christ and the new life that begins.
We work only with churches and ministries who already have a vision to serve the poor and come alongside them in this effort and empower them to do this more strategically. The Paradigm Shift staff seeks to work themselves out of a job In other words, as we train the local church, they should soon be able to provide microcredit and business training to the poor without us. Thus, creating a network of local partners where we would provide capacity building to those already running the program and helping them grow, expand and replicate into additional communities.
Many within the microcredit field do not provide business training. Paradigm Shift has found that expanding microentrepreneurs understanding of core business principles such as: budgeting, record keeping, marketing, advertising, business planning, pricing, etc. increases the effectiveness of the loan and creates value and confidence for the entrepreneur. Training also equips the entrepreneur with transferable business skills that are applicable across any enterprise.
We work only with churches and ministries who already have a vision to serve the poor and come alongside them in this effort and empower them to do this more strategically. The Paradigm Shift staff seeks to work themselves out of a job In other words, as we train the local church, they should soon be able to provide microcredit and business training to the poor without us. Thus, creating a network of local partners where we would provide capacity building to those already running the program and helping them grow, expand and replicate into additional communities.
Many within the microcredit field do not provide business training. Paradigm Shift has found that expanding microentrepreneurs understanding of core business principles such as: budgeting, record keeping, marketing, advertising, business planning, pricing, etc. increases the effectiveness of the loan and creates value and confidence for the entrepreneur. Training also equips the entrepreneur with transferable business skills that are applicable across any enterprise.
How else can I get involved?
- Stay connected. Sign up for updates.
- Request project information to share with others
- Join the Your 40 Story Facebook cause
- Represent Paradigm Shift at your church’s missions events
- Make a Donation
- Gather a small group to financially support Paradigm Shift
- RSS feed the blog
- Invite a team member to speak to your church or small group
Note: We currently have two staffing vacancies. If you are interested in joining our team in South Africa, email info@shiftingparadigms.org for more information.
How does Paradigm Shift select its partners?
When we work with a church / ministry or organization, we look for it to:
- Have a vision to reach the poor
- Be well-established with solid reputation in its community
- Be spiritually and doctrinally sound
- Be financially responsible and accountable
- Have people who are ready and willing to be trained as trainers
- Be in an urban environment with access to the poor
Can I contribute by credit card?
Yes! Paradigm Shift accepts all credit cards and checks. 
Field Team
Elizabeth Bennett
Johannesburg Training Manager
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Elizabeth Bennett previously worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence at the White House, under President George W. Bush. Prior to that, she served as a Human Resources Analyst at Deutsche Bank in New York City and as an Associate at McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations in Nashville, Tennessee.
Elizabeth was the Co-Founder and President of the Vanderbilt University chapter of Net Impact, a group that works to make a positive impact on society by building a community of leaders who use business to improve the world. Elizabeth was chosen to serve as a Trustee on Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust and is currently serving a 4-year term.
Elizabeth has received two BA degrees from Vanderbilt University in Human & Organizational Development (with an emphasis on Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness) and Economics and has experience working in the developing world in both Southern Africa and Asia.
Elizabeth was the Co-Founder and President of the Vanderbilt University chapter of Net Impact, a group that works to make a positive impact on society by building a community of leaders who use business to improve the world. Elizabeth was chosen to serve as a Trustee on Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust and is currently serving a 4-year term.
Elizabeth has received two BA degrees from Vanderbilt University in Human & Organizational Development (with an emphasis on Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness) and Economics and has experience working in the developing world in both Southern Africa and Asia.
Greg Skowronski
National Director of Microcredit
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Greg Skowronski has an extensive background in financial analysis and investments. He previously served as Vice President at Williams Realty Advisors, where he focused on private equity investments in commercial real estate. Before that, he worked at Five Mile Capital, where he specialized in structured real estate debt transactions.
As a member of the Capital Markets group at Jones Lang LaSalle, Greg executed dispositions and financings of real estate properties. Greg also spent several years in the Investment Banking division of UBS in New York City, where he participated in capital raising and strategic advisory assignments.
He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia and has extensive experience in the developing world, having lived in Argentina, South Africa and having travelled, worked and served in 27 countries.
As Paradigm Shift's National Director of Microcredit, Greg's duties include microcredit program design, facilitating microcredit loans, conducting business assessments, coordinating business development along with a host of other activities.
As a member of the Capital Markets group at Jones Lang LaSalle, Greg executed dispositions and financings of real estate properties. Greg also spent several years in the Investment Banking division of UBS in New York City, where he participated in capital raising and strategic advisory assignments.
He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia and has extensive experience in the developing world, having lived in Argentina, South Africa and having travelled, worked and served in 27 countries.
As Paradigm Shift's National Director of Microcredit, Greg's duties include microcredit program design, facilitating microcredit loans, conducting business assessments, coordinating business development along with a host of other activities.
Cate Carroll
Cape Town Regional Manager
Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Cate Carroll was previously an Associate Director at UBS for the Prime Brokerage Collateral Management Business Development Project in London. She has also worked as a consultant for IBMʼs Business Consulting Services at the European Investment Bank. She formerly served at Morgan Stanley as a Project Associate for Collateral Management.
Michelle Livie
Project Coordinator
Johannesburg, South Africa
Michelle Livie has been a Trainer with Ergo Leadership and was a Team Leader for J-Life Africa. She previously worked as an accountant at The Hill High School.