The heart of transformation

Christ at the heart

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." // Colossians 3:17

Roseh joined the TOLI program hoping to provide for her family. She didn't know God would strengthen her faith. 

After receiving a TOLI microloan to start a grocery store, Roseh received a gift she cherishes more – headphones and a headset with a recording of the Bible in Arabic. Her first Bible! Now each day as she takes inventory in her store, Roseh listens to the word of God.

Last month, Roseh worshipped God at a spiritual gathering in Egypt with 255 other TOLI entrepreneurs. In the crowded room, God became more real. She felt His love as she heard testimonies of entrepreneurs like her and prayed with her peers. 

Roseh’s story illustrates the heart of TOLI's program: Providing practical tools to break the cycle of material poverty, all while pointing to the one true source of abundance, a relationship with Jesus. That's why Christian discipleship is integrated into everything we do. 

WATCH this 90-second video below to see how: 

“At graduation, when I give the bibles and see the excitement and hope on the clients’ faces, that's my very, very favorite part of this program.” 

– Hailu, TOLI Program Director, Ethiopia

Thursday, Nov 9, 2023 // 5:30-7pm

Drop in at the TOLI Colorado Springs office to help TOLI count the ways the Lord has blessed us this year. There will be appetizers, fellowship, and sharing of stories. We'll send you off with a token of our gratitude to remind you how grateful we are that you are part of our story, too. Hope to see you there!

The TOLI Office
5785 North Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

TOLI’s Global Day of Prayer and Fasting

Thank you for your prayers on TOLI’s Global Day of Prayer and Fasting. See our global pray-ers clockwise from left to right in Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, and on the global Zoom call.

Marking a milestone

Celebrating the 1,000 mark

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” // Habakkuk 2:14

In Chuka, a rural town on the base of Mount Kenya, there are 1,000 people to celebrate. Here, 1,000 entrepreneurs have started their own businesses – stepping out of material poverty through TOLI’s program. That’s 1,000 graduations, 1,000 new dreams, 1,000 changed families, and 1,000 lives transformed. 

Watch this video for a glimpse into the TOLI program in Kenya:

Around the world, one in 10 people live in extreme material poverty, living on less than $2.15 a day. But a lack of material resources is only one aspect of poverty. Material poverty deeply affects how people view themselves. Those in the grip of extreme poverty often say: “I feel hopeless.” “I’m embarrassed.” “I feel ashamed.” 


Our partner ministries and TOLI Social Workers meet clients in their material poverty, and with Scripture and a microloan, they teach clients they have worth, dignity, and creative capacity. TOLI entrepreneurs who graduate from the TOLI program have said: “I feel empowered.” “I believe in myself.” “I feel strong and visionary.” “I feel at the top.” “I have become hopeful.”

Meet Esther – our 1,000th client in Kenya. Before TOLI, Esther’s only income was from her small seasonal farm. Completely dependent on rainfall, Esther felt stuck and lived day to day. One day a TOLI Social Worker came and talked to her savings group about TOLI. With hope, Esther entered the program. She completed the Business Basics Course, learned how to run a business, and, just last month, took a microloan to start her own retail store. Already her business is growing, and she’s saved enough money to buy a goat for security. 

And even though her journey has just begun, the biggest transformation is her heart. Esther’s now hopeful, looking forward to her future, and giving all the glory to God.

So we praise God for Esther, for the 999 clients who came before her, and for the next 1,000 clients to come! 

Nicaragua News

The TOLI Board recently had to make a very tough decision: After 5 years of providing the TOLI program through our partner Verbo Ministries in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, we have been forced to end our program there. Please click below for the full report, and how to pray.

“I am very grateful to God and the TOLI program for giving me the privilege of belonging to this beautiful TOLI family. The relationship with you transformed my life and that of my family. We’ve never experienced so much love and support. Thank you very much. I think I have an economic and spiritual foundation to continue undertaking and continue supporting my children and family.”
– Brenda, TOLI entrepreneur in Nicaragua

Mark your calendars for TOLI’s Global Day of Fasting and Prayer on October 24th! Your prayers make a difference. Join us for a global Zoom call, communion at the TOLI office, and, most importantly, 24 hours of prayer – praying for clients, TOLI Field Staff, and partner ministries by name. Sign up for a specific hour of prayer below.

TOLI in Nicaragua

The TOLI Board recently had to make a very tough decision: After 5 years of providing the TOLI program through our partner Verbo Ministries in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, we have been forced to end our program there. 

Sadly, the circumstances leading to this step are part of a larger crisis impacting Nicaragua, ministries, and its people. While we had already paused normal operations in the spring and prayed for a breakthrough, as the months unfolded it became impossible – even unsafe – for our work to continue. 

Your support for our work in Nicaragua since we began in 2018 has brought blessing, hope, and transformation for hundreds of families in Puerto Cabezas. The Kingdom fruit of the TOLI program is beautiful: lives given to Jesus, families reconciled, personal transformation and redemption, even physical healing. These are things that can never be taken away, no matter what the temporal circumstances are – we praise God for that!  

“I am very grateful to God and the TOLI program for giving me the privilege of belonging to this beautiful TOLI family. The relationship with you transformed my life and that of my family. We’ve never experienced so much love and support. Thank you very much. I think I am leaving with an economic and spiritual foundation to continue undertaking and continue supporting my children and family.” – Brenda, TOLI Entrepreneur

We also praise God for the opportunity to partner with such amazing brothers and sisters in Christ in Puerto Cabezas, who taught us so much about faith, vision, perseverance, and hope. Please pray for our Social Workers, Junior, Orlando and Miguel; our colleagues at Verbo; and for our clients, who are all facing uncertainty, oppression, and a crippled economy. Pray for new livelihoods for our Field Staff. And pray for wisdom for Verbo’s church elders as they seek to care for former ministry staff, as well as all those Verbo has served – all while Pastor Earl is still recovering from a devastating car accident in June. They need your prayers now more than ever.

 “There is a lot of opposition, but we don’t lose our hope or our faith. Since we fear God, we are always conquerors in him.”  – Orlando, TOLI Social Worker

While TOLI has had to shut our doors in Nicaragua, we’re so grateful that our ministry partners in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda continue to expand TOLI’s program and impact for the Kingdom in incredible ways. Thanks for being part of this big TOLI family – through its ups and its downs. We are grateful for your partnership and prayers. 

An important update from Abigail

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
PROVERBS 16:9

Dear TOLI family, 

Back in December of 2017, when I said yes to becoming TOLI’s first Executive Director, I knew then it would be an assignment for just one small chapter in TOLI’s much bigger story. Today, almost seven years later, and after months of prayer and discernment, a new chapter is beginning. 

This week TOLI begins its search for a new Executive Director to replace me by early spring of 2024. And I want to invite you — our cherished TOLI family — to pray and walk with us through this transition. 

First let me share with you a bit about how God’s been at work in this, on two levels: 

On a personal level, for more than a year the Lord’s been gently guiding me to refocus on my family and the church family we serve together here in Colorado Springs. Those roles and relationships have always been my first and most treasured callings, and I know I’m now entering a season where I want to give them my full focus and energy. 

At the same time, on an organizational level, TOLI’s needs have been rapidly changing. This ministry has exploded in growth over the past seven years, and so its leadership needs are now fundamentally different. When I first came on board my skills as a creator, builder, and storyteller were put to good use as the ministry was getting established. But thanks to God’s provision and your faithful support, we are a profoundly different organization today: an annual budget that’s quadrupled in size; a global staff that grew from five to 54 and a US staff that grew from zero to four; new regional teams established in three countries; and new systems built to help us scale. This growth requires a leader with the capacity and experience to shepherd the ministry into its next chapter and beyond. 

But this isn’t goodbye for me just yet. Over the next six months I’ll be working closely with our teams here and abroad to create a smooth handoff. I am confident our incredible staff and partners — with your continued, faithful support —will continue to grow TOLI, bringing dignified, sustainable, Christ-centered transformation to more and more materially poor communities all over the world.  

Finally, we covet your prayers as we search for the next Executive Director, who God is already preparing to join this incredible TOLI family. Thank you again for your support, trust, partnership, and prayers.

With gratitude and joy, 

 

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director

Please pray with us — and help us spread the word — as we search for God's next leader for TOLI. 

TOLI 🤝 technology

Data is Kingdom Work

How do we know a $300 microloan truly transforms a life?

TOLI has the gift and responsibility to steward resources and transform the lives of entrepreneurs around the world. But how do we know it’s working?

We know because we monitor, measure, and learn through the power of data. Data helps us see the big picture, learn continuously, give more honor to TOLI entrepreneurs, and seek truth. It’s also a layer of accountability for the resources you’ve generously given.

For nearly a year, we’ve been developing an innovative new client tracking system called TOLI Atlas, a custom app designed to help nonprofits that work in remote areas collect real-time program data. And it’s a huge jump forward! Not only will it show the development of each TOLI entrepreneur as they progress through our program, it will help us track big-picture trends and make decisions as our program scales. 

“With the right data, we can be sure that transformation is actually happening,” says Program Associate Morgan Shabe, shown here training TOLI Social Workers in Ethiopia on TOLI Atlas. 

Morgan Shabe, TOLI’s Program Associate, is developing and rolling out the project. She’s most excited about how the platform will serve our TOLI Social Workers.

“Our Social Workers are tasked with an incredible load of caring for members of their own communities. They are trainers, teachers, prayer warriors, coaches, mentors, loan officers, administrators, and disciples,” says Morgan. “So by investing the time and energy on our side to build this system, we are giving time and energy back to the Social Workers and Partner Ministry teams. They will be equipped with a simple, sleek, data collection system that requires less time from them to be spent on updating spreadsheets. The system will then offer real-time insight and equip our teams with access to their own data, so they can track their own trends and make informed decisions about the TOLI program in their context.” 

Often we think kingdom-building is “mission work” in the field, and it is. But it’s also building the behind-the-scenes tools needed to equip and empower our partners to measure impact. Please pray that this new tool will help us bring more hope, restoration, and Good News to places that need it most.


We’re in the process of upgrading devices for field staff to run TOLI Atlas – want to chip in?

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” // John 10:10

TOLI Global Day of Fasting and Prayer

October 24, 2023. Mark your calendars for the second annual TOLI Global Day of Fasting and Prayer on October 24. Over 24 hours, we’ll lift up specific needs of the global TOLI family – needs like health, grief, marriages, and teams. More information to come! 

Late Feb - Early March, 2024. Next February, TOLI is traveling to three countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda – in one learning trip. And we’d love for you to join for part or all of it! Starting in Ethiopia, you’ll see one of our fastest growing programs. We’ll encourage TOLI entrepreneurs at a spiritual conference for widows, and travel out of Addis to see their newest site, Meki. In Kenya, you’ll have the opportunity to serve our partners at Kenya Connection Kids Ministry, develop relationships with TOLI Social Workers, and pray with clients. Ending in Uganda, you’ll see one of TOLI 's youngest programs and encourage the team as they grow.

For more information, email Audrey. Trip applications required.

Life Center Ethiopia // Fundraising Gala 

October 14, 2023. Life Center Ethiopia, one of TOLI’s partner ministries, is hosting a fundraising dinner in Denver to celebrate what God has done through their ministry over the last 10 years. At the dinner, you'll taste authentic Ethiopian food, enjoy Ethiopian worship dancers, and hear from former Prime Minister Tamrat Layne and his amazing story of salvation and redemption. Get tickets here.

When life happens

Success beyond setbacks

Alemnesh walked through the doors of Life Center Ethiopia, TOLI’s partner ministry, in utter need. She was displaced from her home because of ethnic conflict, living in extreme poverty, and desperate to provide for her family of ten.

But Alemnesh’s story isn’t about what she lacked, it’s about the abundance of what she has to give.

And our partners at Life Center Ethiopia are SO good at seeing the abundant capabilities and God-given worth of every person who walks through their doors. Life Center provides the TOLI program to widows in their ministry so they can learn basic business skills and receive a microloan to start their own small business.

Through the TOLI Business Basics Course Alemnesh learned the practical tools to successfully manage a business. She learned how to save. With a $240 microloan she boosted her small business of selling traditional Ethiopian spices. Her income increased, and she grew in confidence as she provided for her family. 

“I never had training before TOLI. The training is very good.”
– Alemnesh, Ethiopia

But soon after taking the loan, Alemnesh’s health worsened and running her expanded business grew difficult. She fell behind on loan payments, and the rising hope of her business faltered.

Microloans don’t solve every problem. Clients get sick. Businesses struggle. Life happens. But that’s why the TOLI program is more than just entrepreneurship, it’s holistic transformation.

TOLI partners equip clients with holistic tools to thrive and flourish, truly transforming hearts and minds, not just income levels. At the TOLI Business Basics Course, clients learn about overcoming obstacles, dreaming, and leadership. They leave knowing they’re capable of success and are valuable because God loves them. When they receive a microloan, a TOLI Social Worker walks with them through every hurdle and success – folding them into a culture of love and unity. 

“I want everyone to become a family, where everyone can get a touch, a hug, and love. It’s not about making people rich. I want to change people’s minds and hearts, and to do this, they have to get a sense of a culture of love and unity.” 
– Mulu Woldetinsae, Founder and Executive Director of Life Center Ethiopia

Armed with a new sense of self, Almenesh never gave up when life got hard. She moved forward confidently. With absolute determination, Alemnesh kept saving money, growing slowly, and paying off her loan. The TOLI Social Workers prayed for her, and with her health improving, she took a second microloan to open a cafe next to her spice shop.

And now Alemnesh gives to others! She pays her children’s school fees, takes in family members displaced because of conflict, and employs another woman to help her in the shop. Alemnesh even leads a savings group – teaching widows like her that they are capable of saving and growing a business too.

In 18 months, Alemnesh’s life totally transformed from that day when she first walked into Life Center. She’s now a confident provider, a generous leader, and a woman who knows she's loved by God.

And of course, there will be more obstacles. But beautifully, what defines Alemnesh is not the obstacles or what she lacks, but all that she is and all that she has to give.

And THANK YOU for supporting Alemnesh and entrepreneurs like her.

– Come pray with us –

TOLI TUESDAY PRAYER GATHERING
Tuesday August 8th from 8-9am MT

Join us via Zoom: Email Audrey for your link OR
In person at the TOLI office: 5785 N. Union, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Engage your church

Is your church interested in partnering with TOLI to engage the nations? Help spread God's story of transformation, grow the program to reach more communities, and add much needed prayer warriors to the team by engaging your church with TOLI. If you're interested, please email Amy Cullins and include your church and missions pastor's name. We'd love your congregation to be a part of the TOLI family!

It starts with our staff

A Ministry of Presence

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” // PROVERBS 27:17

When entrepreneurs start the TOLI program, they learn basic business skills and receive a microloan to help them build their business. This gives them a start, but the key to TOLI clients’ long term success is the local TOLI Social Workers who walk with them through the duration of the loan.

So much more than loan officers, TOLI Social Workers are missionaries, mentors, and friends. As friends, they know their clients and pray for their families. As mentors, they encourage clients through obstacles and celebrate clients’ success. As missionaries, they share the Gospel in word and deed and are fully committed to the clients’ transformation. They work with, laugh with, cry with, and stick with clients, through thick and thin.

And their presence changes lives! Hear it from the TOLI Social Workers themselves about the relationships they have with clients.

TOLI Social Worker Orlando (pictured on left) praying over client Maria and her family.

“We help them not feel alone. Like a family, not lonely. Like a big TOLI family.” 
– Orlando // TOLI Social Worker 

TOLI Social Worker Mona (far right) teaching TOLI's Business Basics Course. 

"TOLI is different than other ministries because it touches the needs of people. When we go to their homes, they feel comfortable to share their stories with us, and we're able to share the gospel with them."
– Mona // TOLI Social Worker // EGYPT

TOLI-Ethiopia Program Director Hailu (in white) with a client Meseret (in yellow) at her coffee shop. 

“We get to know each other, share coffee, and become family, which makes payment easy...We work on a client's personal development to change their attitude, and then everything completely changes. We visit their homes, and they are happy, have hope, and are encouraged and inspired.”
– Hailu // Ethiopia Program Director // ETHIOPIA

TOLI Social Worker David speaking to new clients at a TOLI Business Basics graduation ceremony.

“My favorite part of working with TOLI is giving new projects to clients. You can see a smile on their face and see determination, focus, and strength. You realize the clients start having hope in life and see what they couldn’t see before. You see the real transformation of clients’ minds, thoughts, and ideas, which bring about new life and a new chapter in their life.”
– David N. // TOLI Social Worker // KENYA

TOLI Social Worker Tina (on the right) laughing with client Polly.

“My love for people has increased. I really love people. Working with all the different people through TOLI has opened my heart to love more and wish them to know God more and succeed more."
– Tina // TOLI Social Worker // UGANDA

TOLI Social Worker Hiwot (in the middle) with TOLI client Gadessey and Elsabeth. 

“What we share is our hearts and selves. So if we don’t have love, it won’t work. And you need to go in person. And that’s what makes it impactful because we are sharing our lives. People ask ‘what’s behind us’ and we tell them about Jesus.”
– Hiwot // TOLI Social Worker // ETHIOPIA

Thank you for how you've helped grow the TOLI family – enabling TOLI Social Workers to build relationships and transform lives with the Gospel.

MEET THE TEAM

And these are only six quotes from an amazing team of 50 field staff. The TOLI family keeps growing! Meet the newest members of the TOLI team around the world. 

From left to right.
>  Mahlet is the newest TOLI Social Worker in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 
>  Ketema and Gerbicho work at in the newest site in Ethiopia – Meki!
>  Morris, David N., and David M. are the new TOLI Social Workers in Chuka, Kenya.
>  Christina, Dina, Nermeen, Monira, and Sahar are the newest TOLI Social Workers in Egypt, where we currently serve clients in 15 locations. 
>  Nader has joined the leadership team as the new Regional Coordinator of Lower Egypt. 

2022 Impact Report

A year of bold dreams and stories of transformation — thanks to your support. With grateful hearts, we are pleased to share our 2022 IMPACT REPORT.

WATCH: “I will grow…”

And in case you missed it, check out this inspiring video featured during our Dare to Dream event last week. 

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."

— EPHESIANS 3:20-21

To hear more client stories and to spread the word about TOLI–
like, follow and share TOLI with your friends on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube:

More than we dreamed

We can’t thank you enough

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory ... " // EPHESIANS 3:20

With overwhelmingly grateful hearts, we say THANK YOU for an amazing Dare to Dream event on April 27th in Colorado Springs! Together we celebrated the dreams of clients to help their families and communities, the dreams of our ministry partners to reach every person in their country with the Gospel, and TOLI's dreams to end poverty through dignified, sustainable, Christ-centered transformation. 

Thanks to your generosity, over $120,000 has been raised for THE DREAM FUND — and counting!  (If you couldn't make it to the event, there's still time to give HERE.)

Thank you again for investing in the dreams of others through TOLI. We hope you left dreaming big too. It's an honor to partner with all of you in ministry. 

With gratitude and joy, 

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director

God is rewriting stories, and we love sharing them! Follow us on social media for client stories, updates, and encouraging scripture. 

"This is why we're here"

Teaching business, learning love

"Before TOLI we were preaching the Gospel, but now with TOLI we are walking out the Gospel." – Emmanuel, volunteer TOLI leader in Uganda

Earlier this month, we returned from a trip to Uganda where we witnessed firsthand how our ministry partners, Goshen Gospel Ministries, are walking out the Gospel to transform lives through TOLI. We witnessed it as we talked with staff, met with TOLI volunteers, and visited TOLI clients – but especially during their recent TOLI Business Basics Course.

Successful graduates of TOLI's most recent Business Basics Course in Uganda

But how does a basic business course bring the Gospel? Yes the curriculum gives participants the tools to run a business – tools like marketing, customer service, saving, and budgeting. But it also empowers people to see their God-given worth. Through it, a participant learns that not only does their work matter to God, they matter to God. They learn that they have the power, creativity and wisdom to start their own businesses — because they’re made in the image of a creative and powerful God. 

Polly, a TOLI client, sharing her testimony at TOLI's Business Basics Course

Polly is a TOLI entrepreneur who took the Business Basics Course last year and started her own thriving produce business. At this month’s training, Polly stood in front of her peers as a confident leader and shared her testimony.  She shared what she learned and the success of where she is now. And most emphatically, she shared the importance of customer service and servant leadership. She shared that she now treats her customers as people created by God too, and how that has changed everything.

It was a powerful moment! The nearly 60 participants sat on the edges of their seats and soaked up her testimony feeling empowered to start their own businesses, save money, and provide for their families. But more importantly they learned that – like Polly – they can walk out the Gospel and help others see their God-given worth and capabilities, too. 

Linda Hood, a long time board member who came on this trip, summed it up well. 

“The trip was a huge infusion of joy and encouragement (to see) that what we are doing makes a difference," she said. "We were meeting with the committee, and a really amazing young man on the committee said, ‘Before TOLI we were preaching the Gospel, but now with TOLI, we are walking out the Gospel.’ And I thought, 'This is why we are here.'" 

Board member Linda with TOLI Social Worker Tina from Uganda

YOU'RE INVITED TO "DARE TO DREAM"  //  APRIL 27TH 

Don't miss out!

Seats are going fast for TOLI's "Dare to Dream" event on April 27th at The Pinery in Colorado Springs. You won't want to miss this inspiring and unforgettable event, where you'll hear from TOLI leadership, ministry partners — and even clients — about how the TOLI program is bringing hope and transformation around the world. Dare to Dream with us! Click below to reserve your seats today. 

Can’t come to the event? You can still be a part of it! HELP US REACH OUR $100K GOAL.

We're calling it our Dream Fund —  $100,000 to help TOLI reach more needy entrepreneurs this year than ever before. And thanks to generous sponsors, 100% of your gift will be invested directly into our program.

PS: Bonus challenge! We're recruiting 10 NEW MONTHLY INVESTORS from this campaign. Would you consider becoming one of them? 

 

Help fund a TOLI microloan. It's hope that multiplies.