A hammermill provides multiple options to generate revenue for a cluster of ACPI churches in Zambia.

Through the generosity of a sustainability sponsor, this hammermill was purchased and set in Zambia.  This will be shared by one cluster of churches there.  Most ACPI churches are planted as part of a small cluster of churches (4-6) in a close geographical region.  A cluster leader then leads them and meets with them regularly, both face to face and electronically, for support, encouragement, and accountability.

After a church planter is interviewed and selected for planting by the ACPI directors, each planter goes through a 2 week training that includes both planting and bi-vocational business training.  Within 3 months of planting, each planter submits a personal business plan for approval and receives some small business capital to start that approved business.  In rural Africa, to be sustainable pastors need to be bi-vocational.

Once the personal projects are up and running, the cluster, under the leadership of their cluster leader, will work together to assess the needs of their region and will write a cluster project business plan.  As the cluster project begins to produce revenue, funds will be set aside for future use in business maintenance and expansion and will also be available for use by the member churches.  They are able to apply for assistance to the group for things such as building repair or expansion, equipment maintenance, etc.

This Zambia hammermill was placed in mid April 2023.  Hammermills can produce revenue in many ways:  selling grinding services to individuals, selling ground corn (belonging to the cluster) to the community, selling the offal from grinding as chicken and pig feed, etc.  This is the first cluster project of its kind and is being used as a pilot for future projects.