School for Trustee Ministry

Director: Rev. Dr. Carolyn Gilmore
Instructor: Mrs. Ml’ka Gilmore-Dyer

Course Theme:

Improving Financial Literacy Among Young People from a Biblical Managerial Perspective

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

According to a reporter for the Rock the Street, Wall Street, (RTSWS) Financial illiteracy is a major epidemic problem for Young people. RTSWS survey reveals, 76% of millennials lack basic financial knowledge.

Financial illiteracy is affecting youth even before they leave home. Financial illiteracy is costly and has many effects on our everyday lives. RTSWS research shows the many impacts of financial illiteracy:

Financial illiteracy causes broken homes, school dropouts, dependency on predatory lending (payday loans) and government benefits, health issues (stress, depression, anxiety), bankruptcies, foreclosures, divorces, homelessness, deficiency in economic development, and even murder-suicide in some extreme cases. Due to lack of adequate financial skills, majority of youth follow the same patterns as their parents with no or little chance of breaking the cycle.

As Christian educators, we want to help young people break the financial illiteracy cycle plaguing them from youth to adulthood. It is no surprise that financial illiteracy affects us physically and mentally. Surveys indicate 76% of millennials lack basic financial knowledge and spirituality. Various forms of illnesses and health are linked to how individuals manage their finances. Nutritional benefits are often sacrificed because of poor financial decisions.

This course will explore biblical financial principles, facts about youth financial knowledge and capability, and steps to living a life of financial freedom.

Mrs. Ml’ka Gilmore-Dyer

Ml’ka Dyer is a deacon in training at Galatians Baptist Church. She also serves on the trustee ministry, praise team, hospitality committee and facilitates weekly bible study. Professionally, Ml’ka has over 25 years of financial experience. She worked at various banks for fifteen years until she changed gears and became a Certified Professional Coder. Now Ml’ka works as a Senior Medical Auditor in the finance department for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where she specializes in Risk Adjustment and Provider and Clinical Education. One of her favorite passages from the author Paul is “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV) Finally, Ml’ka likes to cook, travel, and attend live concerts/plays in her free time.