As Christians, you are part of a concerned and supportive world community. In your church community you have like-minded peers, pride of place and respect for your neighbours. Church communities already know what it is to work together to create this environment.
Working together, we can change lives.
Work with us to raise awareness of issues that surround global poverty and contribute to the disadvantage faced by millions of people around the world.
The scriptures teach us about God’s mandate for justice and demonstrate practical ways to realise His vision. Christians and the Church have proven their mobilisation a success in leading the fight against global poverty.
You can pray daily for those living in poverty and those working to alleviate poverty. You can learn more about the problems and solutions, spread the word and put your faith into action. It is through hearing and understanding God’s message that we can radically change and reform lives.
Giving can restore your faith as powerfully as it helps those who will receive.
World Vision and your church
World Vision and Christians can fulfil God’s vision of opportunity and equality. The Christian commitment to ending poverty is powered by faith and action.
World Vision works in communities that through extreme conditions have lost cohesiveness. These communities need your support. Your church is in a strong position to band together and offer this support. We can show you where your help is needed. The enthusiasm of your church group and thoughtful spiritual consideration of the issues will sustain less fortunate communities.
In The New Testament, Jesus inspires his disciples with his great compassion and enormous capacity for action. His disciples stand with him to enact change. Compassion and action are inspirational - and World Vision hopes it can encourage you to feel just so inspired. Our Church Relationship Managers can work with your church to identify how you can contribute to long-term sustainable change.
What you can do
Today’s Christian leaders send clear messages on new ways to mobilise and make a difference. You can continue the tradition of Christians who supported the poor and oppressed, like William Wilberforce, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Read, listen and see for yourself how to pursue what you believe.
- Deepen your analysis through bible study and prayer. Learn more about the issues World Vision is working to address.
- Involve your peers and church and urge them to speak out in the tradition of Isaiah, Amos, Micah and Jesus, whose concern for poverty and justice is mentioned in more than 2000 Bible versus.
- Discover the many solutions World Vision has in operation. By supporting these, you can offer practical assistance to children and communities living in poverty.
- Do the 40 Hour Famine or support someone who is – in 2009, all funds raised will go to help those suffering the devastating effects of the Global Food Crisis.
- Support our campaigns through advocacy and donating money and time. Don’t Trade Lives aims to end human trafficking and rescue children from forced labour. Make Poverty History aims to halve world poverty by 2015 and calls on government to pursue the Millennium Development Goals.
- Closer to home, you can change a child’s life by mentoring through Kids Hope Aus. It’s a great way for your church to reach out to the wider community in which you live.
- Spread the word by calling talkback radio and contacting your local MP so they know how important the issues of international aid and development are to you.
Make a difference everyday
We are caretakers of God’s creation – Earth. We need to be good, everyday Christian citizens and adopt a sustainable lifestyle that protects the planet. Our spiritual and natural environment is polluted, but you can help.
- Reduce your carbon footprint and remember water and energy are vital life resources to be respected.
- Consume ethically, learn about fair trade and how to use your purchasing power to make a difference.
- Reflect on the issues and pray.
- Add a social justice month to your church calendar.
- Use your church’s power to influence and encourage political and community leaders in the support of a cause.
- By volunteering your time, skills or services, World Vision is able to pursue its work to alleviate poverty.