Empowering Lives International (ELI) is one of the channels God has raised up to bring encouragement, ideas, and empowerment to families and villages that have lost hope for a better life – empowering the poor to remove the barriers that hinder spiritual transformation, health, education, and economic progress.

ELI is called and committed to making a difference among the needy and spiritually lost in East Africa. Strategically developed Skills for Life Training Centers, Christian schools, outreach events, camps, seminars, health care instruction, and programs to reach alcoholics are part of an overall empowerment strategy. We rejoice in seeing people come to eternal life in Christ as they experience the amazing journey of spiritual, physical, and economic empowerment.

The call for ministry began after several years of Christian outreach and leadership development in Tanzania. ELI founder, Don Rogers, while working with Tanzanian Christians and churches, found the lack of food and other necessities of life a disturbing commonality among the villages. Many new believers cried out for work – seeking any opportunity to earn income for food, clothes, medicine, and school fees.

In 1994, ELI was formed and immediately expanded its initial ministry of evangelism and Bible training to include projects addressing the physical sufferings faced by the people. This holistic work continues to open up new communities to both the Word of God and practical ideas for breaking the cycle of poverty at the village level. As a Christian organization, ELI cares deeply about the spiritual condition of all people and works closely with evangelical leaders and churches in both the USA and the countries we serve. What began with a few volunteers has grown to become a dynamic team made up of full-time nationals and Americans working side by side. In addition, volunteers from the USA participate each year in short-term opportunities provided by ELI.