Austin, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/11/2014 -- While it may sound like an oxymoron, an illuminating and insightful new book proves that anyone really can find wealth in culture of poverty. ‘The Wealth of Poverty: Capitalizing the Opportunities of Poverty for the Kingdom of God’ is the work of Rev Dr. Tina Carter and Rev Dr. Mindy Johnson-Hicks – proving their point with clarity and fact.

Pastor Mindy says, “Poverty does carry a unique form of wealth – something everyone should try to access. The sad reality is that the definition of ‘poverty’ was decided by those who come from socio-economic privilege. However, our book explains why those society considers to be in poverty possess many unique gifts which humankind can benefit from collectively”

Synopsis:

Can you access the wealth of poverty? This book is our attempt to capitalize the benefits wrought within the culture of poverty and to entice others to come alongside us. Beauty and giftedness can blossom out of living without resources. Blossoming in poverty is like a plant which grows in the crack in the sidewalk. Sometimes people call that plant "weed." The plant gets a label that makes it seem less worthy. However, the fact that weeds can grow through incredibly difficult circumstances proves there is something gifted, productive and life-affirming about weeds - even though some label them as useless and undesirable. The wealth of resources that exists in the culture of poverty often gets overlooked due to similar labeling, prejudice or cultural misunderstanding. It is imperative to speak to the beauty in the culture without glossing over the brokenness of life without resources. The goal of this work is to illuminate strengths in the culture of poverty, describe how those strengths are forged, and to teach cross-cultural skills for capitalizing this Wealth of Poverty in the kingdom of God.

Rev. Dr. Johnson-Hicks believes that everyone in the middle class should read her book.

“It will completely change how people view poverty, as well as their own desire to help. Those in poverty can teach us so much about our own lives – and forging unbreakable bonds with them can achieve results far and beyond simple charitable giving,” Pastor Tina Carter adds.

Reviews for the book have been impressive. Rev. Adam Hamilton, COR, comments, “Often the church’s efforts addressing poverty involve performing acts of service for or to the poor. These acts are sometimes motivated more by one’s own needs or self-interest than by a genuine concern for the poor. Tina Carter and Mindy Johnson-Hicks invite readers to take a different approach. In The Wealth of Poverty they invite readers to develop mutual relationships with persons of different economic groups and to foster a deeper understanding of the culture of poverty and the surprising wealth found there."

‘The Wealth of Poverty: Capitalizing the Opportunities of Poverty for the Kingdom of God’, published by Outskirts Press, is available now: http://amzn.to/1irsASt.

About the Authors
The Reverend Dr. Mindy Johnson-Hicks completed her advanced studies in Leadership and Biblical Preaching at Asbury Theological Seminary under the tutelage of Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, United Methodist Elder and author, and Leslie Andrews, Provost of the University.

Her doctoral course work built upon a foundation of education and service. Her educational foundation was laid during her graduate work at Saint Paul School of Theology at the feet of Adam Hamilton among others, and undergraduate work at Manhattan Christian College and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus. Her foundations in service began as youth minister at the Whiting and Netawaka United Methodist churches. Her first appointment was as pastor at the Waverly/Prairie View Charge in the Five Rivers District of the Kansas East Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and, later, Mindy began serving the Madison/Ebenezer Charge in the Flint Hills District, also Kansas East Annual Conference. Her most recent service appointment is as Executive Pastor to Redemptive Work, a ministry of Parker Lane UMC. Mindy experiences a beautiful life with her wife, Amy Johnson-Hicks, in Christ Jesus and in the fellowship of believers of the Church Within a Church movement and the United Methodist Church.

The Reverend Dr. Tina Carter’s home of origin provided emergency care to children removed from their home. That wealth of personal experience formed the basis of her view of the world. Although she got a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry and was working as a successful consultant in environmental remediation, God invited her back from the middle class world into the world where resources are scare and relationships are rich. She now also holds a Master of Divinity degree and is a United Methodist Elder, currently serving as Community Pastor at Parker Lane UMC – helping to facilitate and coordinate the many ministries that help to transform her neighborhood. She lives in the neighborhood with her husband, Bill and her step-son Eric. Pastor Tina is also grateful for the times she gets to spend with her adult daughters and their families.

To schedule classes or speaking events include topics and prospective dates: Thewealthofpoverty@redemptivework.org