ABOUT US
MISSION & PRINCIPLES
Strengthening Hands International was launched in 2002 in response to the recognition that at that time, most of the world’s population lived on less than $2 a day, often suffered economic, religious and political oppression, and many of the most persecuted poor minorities in the world were followers of Jesus. Sadly, very little has changed in the past twenty years.
“Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers,
you do unto Me."
Matthew 25:40
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
As the United States, and much of the western world has been blessed with the greatest accumulation of wealth in human history, those who hold to Judeo Christian beliefs and Western values have a clear responsibility to strengthen, serve and assist those who are suffering around the globe.
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“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.” - John F. Kennedy
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“To whom much is given, much is required.” Luke 12:48
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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill
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Strengthening Hands International was launched in 2002 to help address the challenges of poverty and illiteracy in the developing world primarily through microfinance and micro-business training for the many millions overseas who suffering from economic, political, cultural, and religious persecution or oppression.
“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak…” Hebrews 12:12
“I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things.” - Mother Teresa
HISTORY
In 2002, Jim Subers, traveled extensively around the world to study various models of micro enterprise and micro finance that were being used in the developing world to help lift the poor out of poverty. As a result of his work, Jim was asked to join the Board of Directors for the Micro-MBA in South Africa and began to partner with this organization. This organization has trained over 100,000 on the continent of Africa in the principles on how to start and operate micro businesses.
In his travels, Jim witnessed that poverty and illiteracy go hand in hand among the worlds poorest communities. Therefore, in 2003, Strengthening Hands began to partner with Mega Voice International, and Jim served as both President and Executive Director for that company for five years. Mega Voice is a technology company based in Israel, that develops solar powered audio players.
The international team at Mega Voice works with key contacts in many of the world’s most oppressed regions in order to provide these audio players to hundreds of thousands of the worlds poorest people. For many who receive these audio tools, the Mega Voice units are their first access to Biblical Texts, healthcare information, and other important information in audio format.
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However, none of the transformational work that is being done can be accomplished without key national partners in each nation/region. Many of these men and women serving among the poor are under resourced and facing constant financial pressure, personal family challenges, cultural difficulties, and very often security concerns and risks. These men and women have dedicated their lives to making a very real difference in some of the toughest places on the globe. They serve in a variety of capacities: as missionaries, pastors, teachers, mission doctors/nurses, church planters, agricultural specialists, and business and NGO leaders.
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Our mission is simple, to identify key trusted national partners around the world and to come alongside them and “Strengthen Their Hands” wherever possible.
WHO WE ARE
Jim Subers
Janice Subers
Janice was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and is a University of Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in Public Speaking and English. She met her husband, Jim, a Gator football player, at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on the university campus. Their friendship began while Janice’s best friend was battling cancer and was solidified when twenty-one-year-old LuAnn left this world to enter her Father’s Kingdom. Jim won Janice’s heart by writing her a poem that spoke of Heaven. The death of her friend, LuAnn, began the spark in her heart to write a book on heaven, which she completed in 2015, Out of this World.
Janice is the mother of four adult children who love the Lord. And her six young grandsons give Janice her greatest joy. While raising their family, Janice served alongside her husband as he gave senior leadership to a number of different organizations, including pastoral and missionary service in Japan, urban camping with Kanakuk Kamps’ Kids Across America, audio-Bible distribution to the non-literate with Mega Voice International, prison ministry with Bill Glass - Behind The Walls, at Shelterwood, a therapeutic boarding school for struggling teens, and now at Strengthening Hands International.
As with all of us, life has its challenges. For Janice, this has included a brother with Down syndrome, a son with autism, a best friend and sister, both dying of cancer, and being the victim of financial fraud. Through it all she has learned that the God of love is faithful, good, and trustworthy. Janice does not need to be convinced of the reality of the spiritual realm; she has seen both the good and the evil side of the spiritual world. It has been her ongoing passion to know Jesus intimately, and to help share the reality of his love, power and faithfulness to others. She has done this through her writing and her gift of hospitality.
Janice has authored two books. The first, “More Than a Cookbook, Cookbook” included recipes from over 80 famous Christian women, and it helped to fund their mission to Japan. Her most recent book is a novel, Out Of This World. It is her hope that this book will encourage others with the glories of heaven, and spur others to take up their spiritual weapons, fighting the good fight of faith so they can live victorious lives filled with purpose and destiny. This book won third place in the Christian Fiction category of the 2015 Author Awards.
Jim met his wife Janice at the University of Florida, and they were married while Jim was still in college. Jim and Janice have been married for over 39 years. Jim has travelled around the world in missions and in business, and he has given leadership to a number of different organizations in both the for-profit and not-for-profit world.
After graduation from the University of Florida, Jim and Janice travelled to Tokyo, Japan, where they served as missionaries. This began the passion in their hearts to reach the unreached and concern for those who are called to serve them. After five years in Tokyo, Jim continued his ministry studies at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, and also began seven years in international business with AMB Asia, Ltd. And Oil Capital, Ltd.
After receiving a phone call from Joe White, asking Jim to consider running his non-profit urban camping ministry, Kids Across America, Jim and Janice moved to Branson, Missouri in 1996 to give leadership to KAA. Jim served as their President for three years, until their son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism. This led Jim and his family to Kansas City, where they could get Jake the medical and developmental care that he needed. While in Kansas City, Jim served as the Administrative/Executive Pastor for Metro Christian Fellowship, and launched the non-profit, Strengthening Hands International.
In 2003, Jim was asked to consult with, and ultimately lead MegaVoice, Ltd, based in Tiberias, Israel. MegaVoice developed solar-powered audio Bibles for the non-literate world. In this position, Jim travelled extensively to develop and strengthen ministry partners in some of the most challenging countries in the world. Jim served in this capacity for five years until he was asked by Bill Glass to lead his international prison ministry, Behind the Walls, based out of Dallas, Texas.
When the opportunity was provided to enroll their son, Jake, in a school in Kansas City for children with developmental issues, Horizon Academy, Jim and Janice moved back to Kansas City in 2011. There, they were asked to give leadership to Shelterwood Academy, a school for struggling teens. Jim served as President and CEO at Shelterwood for 8 years. In late 2019, Jim and Janice left Shelterwood, and began a sabbatical period. During these last two years, they have renewed their efforts with Strengthening Hands, and also moved to Laramie, Wyoming to help with a micro church planting movement based there, called Jesus Tribes.
Jim and Janice have four adult children, and six young grandsons. Jim is an avid college football fan, and loves to bird-hunt and fish.
