EG Stoltzfus

In HOPE’s earliest days, many people—including the lawyers advising our founder, Jeff Rutt—didn’t believe the model of using microenterprise development to address global poverty would work. They doubted loans in post-Soviet Ukraine would be repaid. They doubted whether HOPE could effectively balance a Christian witness with high-quality financial services. But when the first 12 people repaid their loans and experienced the love of Christ, a few friends rallied around the mission. As founder of Keystone Custom Homes, Jeff turned to his community—other homebuilders. Even though they were competitors, their bond in Christ superseded any other barriers. 

One of the first homebuilders to support HOPE was Brent Stoltzfus and his company, E.G. Stoltzfus Homes. After Brent and his daughter accompanied Jeff and his daughter on a trip to Ukraine, Brent told Jeff, “We can do this.” Brent believed in HOPE’s mission and enlisted his company and their trade partners to build a home to generate proceeds to benefit HOPE. This was the first of 10 homes E.G. Stoltzfus Homes has built as part of the Homes for HOPE program. And on September 27th of 2024, they will launch their 11th Homes for HOPE Project! 

EG Stoltzfus’ Discovering HOPE Experience

In preparation for their upcoming launch, Homes for HOPE’s executive director, Matt Baehr, facilitated a Discovering HOPE Experience for EG Stoltzfus Homes’ office staff. This experience allows participants to step into the shoes of a savings group member and engage with the stories of the real men and women HOPE International serves around the world.

EG Stoltzfus’ staff had the chance to role play during a simulated savings group meeting and engage in various scenarios real-life group members encounter. As they symbolically met, saved money, and decided on loans with their group, they gained a deeper understanding of the challenges people in poverty face. And they saw how God is working through His church to transform lives and make all things new.

A few quotes from the team: 

I thought it was extremely powerful – the “hands on” concept of each of us having a role and being in those meetings!  Awesome!  And, I love how the early fabric of this story sets business competition aside and works towards the greater good of community and faith first, and business second between Keystone and EGS.
– Nevin  

I understood the idea of microfinance, but it was so helpful to see it in action.  The highlight was seeing the Savings Group working together to make their own decisions, based on the rules that they made together.  We all need community, and they are living it out.
– Laura  

I really enjoyed this activity! Not only was this a fun team experience, but it was also very educational to see how one of HOPE’s savings groups work. I am truly in awe of the work they do, and the lives impacted through these saving groups!
– Kiersten  

Kiersten, the newer EG Stoltzfus Homes employee quoted just above, is the very daughter Brent brought with him to visit the work in Ukraine when she was a pre-teen way back in 1999! She experienced firsthand what Brent did when he felt led to tell Jeff, “We can do this,” and 25 years later, they still are. Brent, his family, and his company have truly had a multi-generational impact on Homes for HOPE and the many other charitable organizations they generously support. 

Kiersten with Homes for HOPE’s executive director, Matt Baehr

Thank you, EG Stoltzfus!

Homes for HOPE is so grateful for the longstanding partnership of EG Stoltzfus Homes. Their faithfulness and generosity is truly inspiring as they have generated $1,227,809 in donations supporting our mission to this point, and that doesn’t even include personal donations their owners and employees have contributed on their own over all these years! They will add to that total this year as this beautiful, God-honoring partnership grows on into the future. Thank you EG Stoltzfus!