From a baby-faced newcomer to a transformative force in Latin American community development, Kris Schnepf's decade-long journey with Urban Promise exemplifies the power of purposeful leadership and sustainable social change. In this compelling episode, we explore how a middle-class military kid's first mission trip to Honduras blossomed into a revolutionary approach to youth empowerment and community development across multiple countries. Through innovative programs like Urban Trekkers and the Urban Promise Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Schnepf and his team are reimagining how faith-based organizations can create lasting impact through entrepreneurial thinking and local leadership development.

⏰ Episode Timeline:

[00:05 ] - Introduction and background

[03:15 ] - Military family upbringing and initial Honduras experience

[07:45 ] - Cross-cultural challenges and language immersion

[15:20 ] - Development of Urban Trekkers program

[22:30 ] - Launch of Urban Promise Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

[28:45 ] - Urban Promise Nashville's refugee community initiatives

Key Discussion Points:

* Evolution from a middle-class military background to international community development

* Creation and implementation of Urban Trekkers - an experiential learning program

* Development of sustainable community initiatives through entrepreneurial leadership

* Cross-cultural ministry and language adaptation experiences

* Urban Promise's expansion from Camden, NJ to international locations

* Innovative approaches to refugee and immigrant community support in Nashville

Featured Initiative Spotlight:

The Urban Promise Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership - A comprehensive program training leaders across Latin America to create sustainable community impact through:

- Hands-on program management experience

- Executive leadership development

- Sustainable business model creation

- Community partnership building

Notable Quote:

"We have a big vision to see communities throughout Latin America thrive, and we believe that big vision requires a big movement of people to come behind it."

Impact Highlight:

The program has successfully launched new ministries across Honduras, Colombia, and southern Mexico, with graduates implementing sustainable community development projects while maintaining financial viability through innovative entrepreneurial approaches.

Connect & Suppor Kris:

Email:kris@urbanpromisehonduras.org

Honduras Website:urbanpromisehonduras.org 

Honduras -Facebook

Honduras -Instagram

Latin America Website:https://www.urbanpromiselatinamerica.org/

Latin America -Facebook

Latin America -Instagram

Where to find Tamra:

- Want to elevate your voice and purpose? Become a Millionaire Messenger:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fitinfaithmedia.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Hang out on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @tamra.andress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Listen to Tamra’s other shows:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Girls Gone Holy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Founder Collective Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#CommunityDevelopment #SocialEntrepreneurship #GlobalImpact #YouthEmpowerment #NonprofitLeadership

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