When women and men join a Seed Effect Savings & Loan group, they’re looking for financial tools, a safe place to save, access to small loans, and an opportunity to provide for their families.
But time and again, we see God do something far greater.
As members meet weekly to save and study the Bible together, hearts are being transformed. Our data shows that 44% of members who didn’t previously identify as followers of Jesus now say they have chosen to follow Him.
That means almost half of nonbelievers in our program are discovering new life in Christ through community, Scripture, and discipleship.
Faith Growing in Community
Each group begins with prayer, Scripture, and discussion using our Seed Effect Bible Study, which is based on the Chalmers Center’s Restore curriculum. It explores God’s story of restoration and the four relationships broken by sin; with God, self, others, and creation.
Through lessons on forgiveness, God’s love, stewardship, and hope, members begin to see that true transformation starts not just with financial freedom, but with a restored relationship with God.
“I give thanks to Seed Effect because they have included the element of the Bible which has opened my eyes… Now I have put more trust in God because I know God is my everything. I have put all trust in him… my finances, my wellbeing, all is left in God’s hand.” – Ledia, Seed Effect Member, Uganda
Ledia Meling, Unity C Savings Group, Rhino Camp
Why It Matters
In humanitarian work, physical needs often take center stage. However, at Seed Effect, we understand that lasting change occurs when spiritual and economic restoration are combined.
When a member encounters Jesus, it changes how they view money, work, and community. Forgiveness replaces division. Hope replaces fear. Stewardship replaces scarcity. As faith deepens, groups grow stronger, supporting one another not only financially but also spiritually.
“What I learned from the group is that they taught us to love one another, forgive one another, and live in peace with others. I left behind the things I used to do and began sharing the Word of God with other people.” – Agnes Bako, Seed Effect Member, Uganda
Agnes Bako, Onita A Savings Group, Yumbe
Transformation You Can See
Across Northern Uganda and South Sudan, groups are gathering under mango trees, in church courtyards, and beneath tarps stretched against the rain.
They’re saving together.
They’re learning together.
And they’re following Jesus together.
44% (almost half!) of nonbelievers surveyed are now walking in faith.
That’s more than a statistic.
That’s the Gospel at work.
Article Info
More From The Blog
It Started with a Sewing Machine
In 2007, my husband David and I traveled on a mission trip to what is now South Sudan. The country was emerging from a brutal 25-year civil war, and its people were returning home with little more than tarps and sacks of grain. The resilience and determination of the...
2026 Q1 Impact Report
It is a tremendous blessing to serve with you, and we are looking forward to all that God has in store as we continue to bring economic empowerment and the hope of Jesus Christ to the hard places.Seed Effect is committed to financial accountability and...
Growing Deeper Roots: What’s New in Our 2026 Conservation Agriculture Curriculum
When we first partnered with Equipping Farmers International (EFI) to bring conservation agriculture to Seed Effect members, we knew we were “planting” something that would take time to fully take root. Two years ago, we piloted the training at two branches, followed...



