UK churches called to play an essential part in fighting global poverty As churches across the country prepare to mark Micah Sunday, a new resource has been released to help churches fight global poverty. 12 October 2009 As churches across the country prepare to mark Micah Sunday, a new resource has been released to help churches fight global poverty.
More than 100 churches are going to be using sermon themes, creative prayer and worship ideas to present practical ways and engage with the issues that face the world's poorest people on 18th October.
The 'Play your part' resource calls on each Christian to recognise and realise the key part they must play in the fight against this worldwide poverty and is based on 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul likens the Church to the body.
This flexible four minute video, with accompanying booklet, inspires the average Joe in a church that they have the power to make a huge difference by doing their bit by maybe living more simply, getting engaged with their local MP or weaving prayers of justice into their church. The four themes address practical areas: Get connected, Live generously, Raise your decibel levels and Stand in solidarity.
Andy Clasper, Executive Director of Micah Challenge said, "There is tremendous power in the realisation that we are connected to others across the other side of the world and form part of the same body - all made in God's image. We have a critical role to play.
"Even if we only feel our actions are as tiny as a mustard seed, collectively God can use them to bring transformation and justice to his world. Play your part is about sharing the burden and being people who hunger for justice together."
The material provides meditations, activity ideas, inspiration for talks and interactive prayer guidance. One thing that churches are encouraged to do is to build on existing links or create new links with a community in a low-income country, either through missionary presence or a formal twinning arrangement. This kind of partnership helps meet physical as well as spiritual needs.
Micah Challenge UK are gearing up for action in 2010, marking ten years since nations promised to get serious about poverty, when they agreed to the Millennium Development Goals. There will only be five years left to make the promise a reality by 2015.
Micah Challenge, internationally, consists of a global campaign by Christians in over 40 countries to remind world leaders that time is running out to meet these goals designed to ensure food, medical care, clean water, access to markets and primary education for all.
Micah Sunday resources are available here: www.micahchallenge.org.uk/micahsunday/
Ends
Stills from the video are available on request.
Media Contact:
Lucy Cooper
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2107 / 07810183635
l.cooper@eauk.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Micah Challenge is a coming together of people, in 40 different nations, who want to take up the challenge laid down by Old Testament prophet Micah, and speak out against the injustice of global poverty. Micah Challenge
- Micah Challenge UK's members include: African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), Alpha International/Holy Trinity Brompton, Baptist Union, BMS World Mission, CARE, Christians Against Poverty, CBM UK, Christian Aid, Christian Concern for One World, Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Today, Church Action on Poverty, Compassion, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Fusion, Global Care, Global Connections, Haiti Hospital Appeal, Just Cards Direct, Livability, Micah's Call International, New Frontiers, Oasis, Oscar, Samaritan's Purse, Scripture Union, Set all free, Smile International, Shaftesbury Society, SPEAK, Tearfund, The Girls' Brigade England and Wales, Uganda Development Services, USPG, World Vision UK. See www.micahchallenge.org.uk for more details.
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