Your organization and context plus Chalmers’ tools and coaching leads to ministries that help without hurting.
When it comes to poverty alleviation we quickly find that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While we often want a “recipe,” what we actually need is a framework to apply within our unique context.
Using the best practices in community development and easy-to-use innovation tools, Innovate equips your team with a biblical framework to develop poverty alleviation ministries that foster real change.
Learn how to embed Chalmers’ DNA into your church or organization and get virtual coaching from the Innovation Team.
Through a 4-week blend of live Zoom sessions, exercises in each team’s community, and carefully selected videos and readings, Innovate aligns your team and helps your ministry empower people in material poverty.
You’ll need to set aside about 25-30 hours to complete your innovation journey.
You’ll be learning from design thinking and innovation experts, Tabitha Kapic and Adrian Reid, and Dr. Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts, Becoming Whole, and founder of the Chalmers Center.
Tabitha Kapic
Adrian Reid
Dr. Brian Fikkert
“I appreciate the work you guys are doing so much because it’s causing paradigm shifts that need to happen. So much more Christ-centered, so much more Gospel-centered, and so much more hopeful.”
Susan Moffitt
Director of Family Care | Palmer Home, Nashville TN
“This process has really helped me believe that we can equip people to live out the kingdom… I’m more confident that we can help people use their influence to make substantial changes.”
Dr. Michael Rhodes
Lecturer in Old Testament | Carey Baptist College, New Zealand
“It made me personally think about ideas that are outside the realm of what I would have normally thought about. Trusting each of the steps has been really powerful and has allowed us to create something together.”
Sarah Lockridge-Steckel
Co-Founder & CEO | The Collective Blueprint, Memphis, TN
“It’s been really encouraging to see our team use this process to center the actual articulated needs of the communities we serve, as the focus of how we help.”
Laura Green
Executive Director | Tekton Career Training, Atlanta, GA
“The [Innovate] design process led by Chalmers gives me hope because it helps church leaders move from talking about issues to implementing solutions.”
Blake Schwarz
Director of Fellows & PCPC at Work | Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
“When I took Innovate for the first time in Nicaragua, it was a great learning experience. We were introduced to a new model to carry out initiatives with existing resources in a very creative way, with biblical, easy and reproducible tools, where projects can be developed in a short time, where we can have the opportunity to show God’s love.”
Yaneth
Free Methodists, Nicaragua
“I think one of the great things you guys were able to do is somehow guide people through the process who are at very different points. Regardless of where you’re at in the process, if you want to be a good neighbor, this is a fantastic place to start.”
Crystal Davy
Worship Director & Outreach Coordinator | Grace Chapel, Nebraska
“The idea of working together as a team, bringing out innovative ideas and ways of really ministering to the local church spoke volumes to me. I learned from Chalmers the emphasis of human flourishing. I think that’s really all it is about God’s story of change.”
Evah Mugari
Empowerment/Development | Partners in Transformation, Zimbabwe
Innovate is trusted by 200+ churches and nonprofits worldwide.
September 3 – 29, 2026
8 LIVE online coaching sessions
Innovate includes 8 LIVE online coaching sessions with breakout rooms and teamwork assignments designed to align your team around a shared vision and help you brainstorm, design, and test your creative ministry solution. You’ll need to set aside around 25-30 hours to complete your innovation journey. Each week you’ll spend 4 hours in class (online via Zoom) and 1-2 hours outside of class working on your team design.
Our Guarantee
If you’re not completely satisfied with this training within 30 days of your purchase, we’ll give you a full refund.
You’ll need:
Great question! You’ll have the best experience by participating in all of the live sessions. However, each session will be recorded and emailed weekly for the benefit of any participants who may have had an unexpected conflict.
Yes! Innovate will work for your team regardless of your ministry context.
Please note: Innovate is delivered in English and requires a broadband internet connection for video calls.
One year! Each week you’ll get a recording of the class that you’re welcome to reference back to.
Each week you’ll join 2 coaching sessions (online via Zoom) and around 2-3 hours outside working on your team homework and with your community.
Over the course of 4 weeks, you’ll need to set aside about 25-30 hours to complete this innovation journey.
Teams of 3-7 people:
Early Bird $995 (ends 8/19/2026)
Regular price $1195
Innovate is designed for teams of 3-7 people. The process works best with a diverse and committed group that includes team members from the community you are designing for.
For example: Trying to create a ministry for single moms? Be sure you have a single mom on the team.
Our goal is to make Innovate accessible to all churches and nonprofits who are committed to effective poverty alleviation and community flourishing. For small and financially challenged teams, we invite you to email [email protected] with your name, your organization, website and your financial limitations.
We’re so glad you asked! You can help make more Innovate scholarships available to financially challenged teams—contact us for more information.
Innovate: Online is designed for teams of 3-7 people. You’ll work with your team and individuals in your community as you go through the Innovate process.
If you want to learn more about the Innovate process before you gather a team, join us for Innovate: Express, a three day version of our process designed for individuals.
If you’ve already gone through the Innovate, you’ll gain even more by doing it again! Innovate is designed to be done over and over again, and we’re always adding new tools.
Have more questions? Get in touch.
Innovate is the best way for your church or organization to help without hurting. Sign up for Innovate and start testing creative solutions to problems in your community.
