Mobilise Against Poverty
Micah Challenge is a global campaign to mobilise Christians against poverty. The campaign aims to deepen Christian engagement with impoverished and marginalised communities, and to influence leaders of rich and poor nations to fulfil their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In Your Church This Year
Start reading the Bible with 'poverty spectacles' on. If you read asking the constant question "What is this saying about poverty?" then you will discover that there is a totally new aspect to many Bible passages that had not been seen before. The Bible Society has published a "Poverty and Justice Bible", which highlights over 2,000 verses directly addressing issues of poverty. A Biblical understanding of global poverty and justice issues is not an optional extra! It is something that ought to be a central issue for our faith and worship at all levels.
For Our National Leaders: Do Not Forget the Poor
The biggest challenge facing the new government in New Zealand is steering a path through the current global financial turmoil. The temptation will be to take a path of withdrawal from external commitments, and to focus on our own interests, with the aim of being able to return to ‘business as normal’ once the crisis has past. The pressure is for overseas development assistance (ODA) to be cut back or restructured to only those programs that have a visible economic kickback for New Zealand.
The political trend for the industrialised countries is on protecting their own consumers and taxpayers, something which in other contexts New Zealand is opposing. Just as we don't want the big nations putting up barriers against us, so to we need to remember that the global economic situation is going to have the biggest impact on the poor of the developing nations. Those in extreme conditions of poverty need more, not less, help from us at this time.
Gaza
The situation in Gaza was a particularly black start to the year. An uneasy peace has been re-established, but it is still very fragile. This is an area that needs constant prayer and support. One of the things that I came across was this prayer for the children of Gaza by a Jewish man, published in the Haaretz newspaper. It reminds us again that Jews and Palestinians are cousins, descendants of Abraham, and both the subjects of promises of God in Scripture.
In this situation let us declare to all that as Christians we are against all types of terrorism (religious or otherwise), as it simply leads to death and destruction. We oppose the violence by Israel against the Palestinian population, as well as the violence by Hamas against Israel, and their mutual reluctance to reach a lasting peace agreement. The only way to achieve peace and reconciliation is through dialogue and negotiation, based on the respect and dignity of all peoples. Let us remind ourselves always that it is an un-renounceable Christian obligation, over and above political and religious interests, to work for peace and reconciliation.
Facebook
There is now a Micah Challenge Aotearoa New Zealand Facebook page! Become a fan. Join a discussion group. Comment of the issues that are raised. Encourage others to get involved. Have a look...
New Format Newsletter
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Let us remember that the God whom we worship is a God of grace and love. May this year be a year when in our own lives we can learn to live justly, showing constant love, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Thank you for your support for Micah Challenge in 2009
Paul Thompson
National Coordinator
Micah Challenge Aotearoa New Zealand
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