In a response to the call of Isaiah 58 for widespread social transformation, 10 Christian antipoverty organizations are working together to end global poverty by 2035. Dubbed 58:, the alliance aims to help the 1.4 billion people who live on less than $1.25 a day.
“In the last 10 years we have witnessed an incredible shift in the American church as millions of Christians are now engaging with the issues of poverty and injustice,” explains Peter Greer, president of Hope International. “It is a groundswell of serious new intentions that will radically impact extreme poverty.”
Joined in support of 58: are Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Compassion International, ECHO, Food for the Hungry, HOPE International, International Justice Mission, Living Water International, Micah Challenge, Plant With Purpose and World Relief.
A return to the biblical call to care for the poor, as well as a unified vision within the church and compelling evidence of progress provide a historic moment for the church to lead the way in ending extreme poverty, Alliance members believe. Scott Todd, senior adviser at Compassion International and one of the architects of 58:, sees momentum for the effort: “The question now is not, ‘Can we end extreme poverty?’ The question is, ‘How fast?'”
In a separate initiative, NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Mich., is hoping to provide more than 15,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to area food pantries and soup kitchens this summer and fall. The church expects more than 300 volunteers to work in the 21,000-square-foot garden with the project being overseen by a pair of master gardeners and engineers.
“Jesus had compassion for the poor and the hungry, and He wants His church to do the same,” says NorthRidge senior pastor Brad Powell. “Our response to His generosity is to reach out to help those that are disadvantaged and unable to help themselves.”
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