webmaster posted on October 14, 2009 13:21
Every day American Baptist congregations and agencies serve individuals in need within our communities, but we cannot solve the problem alone. Our efforts to sustain our brothers and sisters living in poverty must be complemented with a serious plan of action from our political leaders to reduce the number of needy.
October 14 – 21, 2009 has been designated the Interfaith Week of Action to Fight Poverty. During this week, I hope your congregation will accept the invitation to join faith-based organizations around the nation to raise awareness of this important issue.
The goal of the week is to expand the national conversation on the need to create pathways out of poverty, and to create a mandate for our political leadership to aggressively pursue an anti-poverty agenda. For more on the Interfaith Week of Action to Fight Poverty, see www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com.
Two additional opportunities I encourage you to consider are Children’s Sabbath and the Penny Project. The Children’s Sabbath is promoted by the Children’s Defense Fund. More information can be found at: http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-advocacy-resources-center/faith-based-programs/national-observance-of-childrens-sabbaths-celebration/
The Penny
Project is sponsored by National Ministries in partnership with youth of First Baptist Church of New London, NH. These youth invited National Ministries to help them spread the word about the Penny Project, their vision to raise awareness of childhood poverty in our nation. Their goal is to raise a penny for each of the 14 million children in the United States and Puerto Rico who are vulnerable because of poverty. These 14 million children ages newborn to eighteen live with the threat of violence, hunger, homelessness, illiteracy, poor health and dental care, and low self-esteem. Micah 6:8 calls us to “do justice.” Our care for children in poverty is an act of justice and compassion. When we care for our children we are serving as the hands and feet of Christ. Go to www.14millionpennies.org to learn more about how you and the youth of your congregation can lead this vision in your community.
Jesus clearly commands us to address the needs of the poor among us. We see these needs in every community in our nation. How will you respond?