EMPATHY
December 15, 2020

Father Damien was a Roman Catholic Priest from Belgium who lived in the mid to late 19th century. Although he originated from Europe, he spent the latter half of his life living and ministering to the people of Hawaii. He spent time with them, established leaders in the community, and supported them for many years. Why does this matter? Well, the interesting thing about Father Damien is not really about what we did, but rather where he did it.


You see, Father Damien was not leading his ministry in commonly known places such as Maui or Oahu. Instead, he led his ministry in a settlement of lepers on the Kalaupapa Peninsula of Molokaʻi. These lepers were exiles, banned from the rest of civilization.

In 1873, Father Damien began his ministry of simply doing life with the exiles. He helped build infrastructure, ate with them, and even dressed their wounds. In fact, he was so committed to the colony that he stayed there until he died in 1889. Cause of death? Leprosy.

This story is not a fairy tale, and you may say it is quite sad. However, it reveals to us many things. Here are two things we can take away from the life and ministry of Father Damien.

 

1. Empathy Isn't Safe

 

Father Damien showed what it looks like to empathize. Empathy forces you to join someone in their struggle and to sacrifice your own comfort for the love of another person. Empathy is not easy, passive, or safe. In fact, much risk and discomfort can result from empathy.

Physically coming alongside someone else and asking the question, "How can I actually help you?" could possibly be enough to keep you from empathy. What if helping them requires more than you are willing to give? What if asking about their needs means you have to do something about it? If you're honest, these are real concerns, and yet you must understand that empathy requires a change of perspective. Even better yet, it requires a change of focus.

In order to empathize, your personal comfort can no longer be the focus of your life. Instead of looking at your own problems, turn your attention to those around you, and your problems may start to look a bit more dim in the light of someone else's.

However, if you are being honest with yourself empathy is often still not desirable, and it is definitely not safe.

 

2. Empathy is Needed

 

Empathy isn't safe but it is definitely needed. If you look around, you will see that people are hurting. If you don't see anyone, you aren't looking hard enough. However, this real problem in the world still begs the question, "Why is empathy needed?"

People are hurting, yes, but what is our responsibility to help them? If you are a Bible believing Christian, the golden rule may or may not be be sufficient in your mind. However, our responsibility to empathize goes back to not only the teachings of Jesus, but also his actions.

If empathy means to share in the sufferings of someone else, then we should look no farther than the cross. The act of a mortal dying on a cross does not save anyone, however what Jesus did was more than just take part in a routine Roman crucifixion. 1 Peter 2:24 says, '"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."'


In essence, Jesus took on our sins on himself and was treated as if they were his own. He felt the weight of sin, the pain, and he ultimately gave his life out of his love for us. Jesus looked at our lives and realized that we were hopeless without intervention.

Due to the sacrifice of Christ, our sins and imperfections have been paid for. Like Peter says, "by his wounds you have been healed." In a similar way, we have the ability to join others in their suffering. We may not have the power to give salvation to others through our actions, but we can profoundly impact the lives of desperate people through our sacrificial love.


Both Jesus and Father Damien show us how to love people in the midst of their struggle. They show us how to take on the burdens of others and make them our own, and they show us what real empathy looks like. Empathy is not only knowing the trials of another person, but stepping into them and experiencing the pain itself.


So, who can you serve? Who can you suffer with? Because people are hurting, and you have something to offer them. Take action, join someone in their suffering, and from this point on choose to reflect the sacrificial love of Christ to everyone you lead.

Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change

By Elizabeth Rivas • March 14, 2023
Faith-driven entrepreneurs, like our Branches Worldwide Leaders, can play a significant role in positively impacting their communities through their businesses. These individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which can drive them to create innovative solutions to community problems and to lead with integrity and compassion. One way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by creating jobs and economic opportunities (like AJ in South Africa ). By starting and growing successful businesses, they can provide employment for local residents and stimulate economic growth. This can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community. Additionally, faith-driven entrepreneurs may choose to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions, which can help to improve the lives of their employees and their families. Another way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by addressing social issues through their businesses. For example, they may choose to start a non-profit organization that provides services to those in need, as Alice has done for girls and women in Kenya. Such entrepreneurs may also choose to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their for-profit business models. This can include implementing sustainable practices, fair trade policies and supporting local charities, which can help to improve the lives of people in their communities. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as role models for others in their communities, particularly for young people. By demonstrating the importance of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, they can inspire others to pursue their own business dreams and to strive for success in their own lives. Furthermore, their demonstration of faith in action through their businesses can serve as a powerful example of how one can live out one's values and beliefs in the world. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as leaders in their communities. They use their influence and resources to bring about positive change through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools, promoting environmental conservation, and working to improve the overall quality of life for their community members. Our Leader, David , is doing exactly this in his international school in India. Our Branches Worldwide Leaders are proving the multitude of positive effects that faith-driven entrepreneurs can have in their communities. From providing direct assistance through jobs or providing services to those in need to being a source of inspiration for others, these entrepreneurs are creating change that will reverberate across geography and generations. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .

Merging Business Mentorship and Christian Mentorship

By Elizabeth Rivas • January 30, 2023
Business mentorship can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers. A business mentor is an experienced individual who can provide guidance, support, and advice to help you navigate the often complex and unpredictable world of business. Meanwhile, Christian mentorship is a type of mentorship that involves a Christian mentor providing guidance, support, and advice to a mentee, with a focus on spiritual and moral development. Branches Worldwide Mentors serve as both business and Christian Mentors. We believe that faith and business can not only coexist, but that they can mutually strengthen each other. Our Mentors not only guide our Leaders in pragmatic elements of business, but also in their spiritual journeys. One of the key benefits of business mentorship is the opportunity to learn from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the field. Our Mentors share their own experiences, insights, and lessons learned, helping our Leaders avoid common pitfalls and to make better decisions. This can be especially useful for those who are just starting out in their career, as they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge as more seasoned professionals. Our Mentors also serve as role models, offering guidance and support as the Leader navigates their own faith journey. They may provide biblical teaching and encouragement, as well as offer practical advice and application of the scriptures. Another benefit of merging Christian and business mentorship is the opportunity to network and build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs of faith. Mentors can introduce Leaders to other like-minded industry professionals, giving Leaders the chance to expand their network and strengthen their spiritual development. Overall, mentorship is an invaluable resource for Christians looking to grow in their faith and navigate the challenges of life and business. We at Branches Worldwide are honored to work with a number of such individuals. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .
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