“Before coming to Messiah, I didn’t understand poverty and missions. I had to do a lot of searching and reflecting,” shares Arden Moyer ’09.
After graduating from Messiah with a degree in communication (PR concentration) and minor in human resources management, Moyer landed her first job as the marketing coordinator at WITF, a public radio station in Harrisburg, Pa. There, she used her skills to draft press releases and played a role in rebranding initiatives.
However, a love for nonprofit communication ultimately led her to pursue her current role as the HOPE trips coordinator at HOPE International, a Christian microfinance organization based in Lancaster, Pa. With 2.2 billion people around the world living on less than $2 a day, HOPE works to provides discipleship, training, a safe place to save, and small loans to families in underserved communities. Serving over 800,000 clients, the HOPE network consists of microfinance institutions and savings and credit associations throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Designed to equip men and women in poverty, microfinance institutions are banks that provide small loans and financial services, allowing entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses, provide for their families, and give back to their communities. Savings and credit associations consist of individuals who save their money together. As groups accumulate secure amounts of money, members can take loans from their groups, often using the money to grow their businesses.
Moyer notes that Messiah taught her to be open-minded and played a role in forming her views on poverty. Since working at HOPE International, her perspective has changed even more, and she continues to learn what God calls us to do to help those living in poverty. Desiring to see men and women around the world find satisfaction in Christ, she works to enable clients to use their God-given talents to flourish.
Moyer explains that HOPE trips allow people to visit countries where HOPE works, giving them the opportunity to see Christ-centered microenterprise development from the perspective of clients, local staff, and church leaders. Experience HOPE Trips allow participants to interact with clients, see their businesses, and meet the staff who serve them. By witnessing HOPE’s transformational work in action, people are compelled to connect with HOPE’s mission on a deeper level. “We’re able to send people to field who have been partners with HOPE for years but it is finally clicking,” she adds.
Passionate about writing, Moyer spends her time developing preparatory resources and travel documents, booking flights, and communicating with HOPE donors and trip participants.
“I love working with donors,” she underscores. “They are inspiring and passionate about what God is doing through HOPE.”
She encourages communication students to get as much work experience as possible. “You can think about doing stuff in the field, but it is important to get varied experience with different organizations,” she says.
In her spare time, Arden enjoys hiking, playing tennis and disc golf, and watching Friends. She and her husband Jeremy welcomed a baby girl, Brooke, last year. Currently, she continues to work part-time for HOPE, sharing Christ’s love and giving hope to families in underserved communities.
-Emily Carter ’16