Black churches and Black economic development: from housing to business enterprises. Black churches are bringing the gospel of economic development to inner city communities. IN THE HEART OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. historical district in Atlanta lies Auburn Avenue, home of the civil rights struggle, a rich black business legacy and Sunday morning sermons at some of the largest African American congregations south of the Mason Dixon line. A quarter-block stretch of the avenue is lined on both sides by Wheat Street Plaza North and South and its two strip malls that house 10 small business

What makes these malls significant is that they are the product of the Wheat Street Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit organization that serves as the development arm of Wheat Street Baptist Church. All the shop owners in the malls are members of the church and most of the businesses are black-owned. Four of the merchant have been in the mall since it was built over 25 years ago.

Wheat Street has known for some time what many black churches across the country are quickly discovering: that they can be catalysts for the creation of black businesses, jobs and wealth in African American communities. Currently, the Wheat Street church, which doesn't own any of the businesses, dears more than $50,000 annually in rent. But business manager Eugene Jackson explains that it's not all about creating money for the church: "Our mission is about creating economic opportunities for the people in our community."

This brand of Christian capitalism encourages African Americans to pool their dollars to invest in each other and their communities. Unlike a corporation that keeps its profits, church-based business enterprises enrich the neighborhood by providing resources and much needed services like day care, soup kitchens and substance abuse counseling. When once empty storefronts become thriving businesses, property values of neighboring homes increase. In turn, this attracts more affluent residents and other businesses, which are more likely to take an active role in improving quality-of-life issues, such as safety and good schools. At its best, the cycle of inner-city poverty is reversed, creating a foundation for economic empowerment.