Paradigm Shift is a non-profit organisation igniting the church to transform Africa's entrepreneurial poor. What Are ...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who Is Paradigm Shift? Paradigm Shift is a non-profit organisation igniting the church to transform Africa’s entrepreneurial poor. What Are You About? We are on a mission to change the way we, as the Church, serve the poor. The poor don’t need charity. They need someone to help them use the gifts God has given them. What Kinds of Entrepreneurs Participate? All types! Because the training is fun, interactive and hands on, we find entrepreneurs both simple and sophisticated enjoy participating. According to the 3500 entrepreneurs we’ve had participate thus far: 1/3 haven’t completed Grade 6, 1/3 have a Matric, and 1/3 have a university degree. What Types of Business Are Represented? Over 70 different types of service and product based businesses have been represented among participating entrepreneurs. The businesses range depending on the needs of each community and how individual entrepreneurs meet those needs. A sample is pre school operaters, seamstresses, welders, painters, food services, party planners, graphic designers, photographers, beauty salons owners, and tons more. Do Participants Have To Have a Business Already? Ideally. It is highly encouraged to recruit those with existing businesses so they can immediately apply the knowledge. About 80% of Paradigm Shift entrepreneurs have an existing business while 20% are in the planning stages. Where Is Paradigm Shift Based? Cape Town, and we have programmes running in 45 programme locations in Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Port Edward. What Does a Church Partner Need To Get Started? A qualified team of six volunteers, a target community and a desire to train and disciple entrepreneurs. Do You Only Work With Churches? The Paradigm Shift model combines basic business training with discipleship. So our partners share not only a desire to see entrepreneurs uplifted through business but also through a journey of faith. Churches, business forums, small groups, ministries or faith-based organisations can use this tool. How Long Is The Training For Entrepreneurs Business Experience Course (8 hours)
Is There Any Follow Up After The One-Day? Absolutely! This can be done informally through relationships developed or formally through Paradigm Shift. Beyond the Business Experience Course is a eight unique 9-week modules. Each module contains four key components - business training, discipleship, microcredit and mentoring. We find this is a natural step forward to bringing lasting transformation. I Am From XYZ Church. Can We Do This With Another Church? Absolutely! What Church Is This From? Paradigm Shift is not affiliated with a church denomination and strives to work across denominational affiliations to strengthen the Church. From conservative to charismatic, reformed to non reformed, mainline church to house church, we share like minds and hearts with believers who want to put feet to their faith and tangibly demonstrate the goodness of God while verbally proclaiming it.
Who are you partnered with in Cape Town?
Who are you partnered with in Johannesburg?
Common Ground Church
Cornerstone Church
Jubilee Community Church
New Creation Family Church
Great Commission Ministers Network
Junction Church
Grace Chapel
Northfield Methodist Church
The Bay Community Church
Weltevreden Chapel
Shoreline Church
Godfirst
His People Baxter
Grace Bible Church
Somerset West United Church
Shofar
Who are you partnered with in Durban?
Other South African partners
Grace Family Church
Pietermaritzburg - My African Child My Pride
Westville Baptist Church
Pietermaritzburg - Scripture Union
Kloof Harvest Church
Port Edward - Stotler's Mission
Pinetown Methodist Church
Port Elizabeth - St Nicholas Anglican Church
Seed of Hope
East London - Nahoon Methodist Church
Olivetree Church Highway Community Church
Beyond South Africa
Vuleka Trust
Uganda
St. Elizabeth's Anglican Church
Democratic Republic of Congo Equatorial Guinea
Paradigm Shift in Numbers:
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57 programme locations
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62% is the average business income increase over the first training cycle
800 South African business-minded volunteers Over 4000 trained entrepreneurs supporting an average of five dependents Over R1 900 000 loaned out to 460 entrepreneurs, with 92% repayment One church can impact as many as 150 family members through running one programme, using as few as six business professional volunteers. 34% of entrepreneurs have started saving money for the first time
