At GenerousChurch, we believe that biblical generosity is a core part of being a disciple of Jesus. Our vision is to unleash generous disciples all over the world, but we don’t do this by bringing in our own programs. Instead, we empower local leaders through a process called the Generosity Design Lab (GDL). Recently, we saw this come to life in a powerful way through a partnership with the Church of God Latin America.

This community is vast, serving seven countries and 70 territories across Central America with 12,000 churches. However, the work didn’t begin with a manual or a lecture. It started with decades of friendship. We believe that for a movement to last, it must move at the speed of trust. Dr. Steve Patty, who studied the project, observed that the entire process was "fundamentally dependent on respectful engagement with top denominational leadership."

Rather than rushing in with a pre-packaged plan, our team spent months listening to bishops and regional leaders. As one facilitator explained, the goal was to "hear what God is telling them and respect their goals and processes." In 2021, these leaders gathered for a Generosity Design Lab to build their own strategy. From that collaborative space, "eight key generosity principles emerged" that were rooted in their own culture. They didn't want a translated book from the North; they created a "shared Spanish generosity curriculum, specifically tailored for the Latin American context." This ensured the message belonged to the local church from day one.

To reach thousands of congregations, the leaders used a simple model of multiplication. They began by equipping 150 Master Trainers. These trainers then shared the message with others, eventually reaching over 30,000 people across the denomination. The impact was immediate and deeply spiritual. One leader in the region explained that the training worked because it was framed as "biblical discipleship and spiritual formation—not tithing campaigns."

As hearts changed, the communities changed too. The report highlights a shift from "passive receipt to active partnership," meaning churches stopped looking for outside aid and began funding their own local missions. In many places, this led to tangible projects like the building of bridges and schools. Perhaps most importantly, the mindset of the people was transformed. As one leader shared, the church moved from asking "What can I get?" to asking "How can I give more?"

Reflecting on the journey, one leader noted that because we focused on "connecting with the top leadership" and "asking permission," the movement is now fully "done by the local church." Today, the Church of God Latin America isn't just practicing generosity; they are modeling what it looks like to be a movement of disciples who impact their world by giving themselves away.