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Remember the Poor
Where can the homeless person sit in your church? How does the non-reader learn about Jesus? How can the non-english speaking Asylum Seeker hear the gospel? Guy Miller (CityGate Church, Bournemouth) challenged delegates with these questions at the Remember the Poor Social Action Conference in April. Sue Lyndon (Church of Christ the King, Brighton) reports from the day.
 Why would more than 250 people travel to Milton Keynes on a sunny Saturday and pay good money to be challenged in this way? We as a movement are committed to preaching the gospel and serving the poor, and I think this is the reason for such commitment. Hundreds of us are involved in numerous projects, here in the UK and across the nations, helping reach those in need with the good news of Jesus Christ.
In the first main session, Guy encouraged us to keep a sense of humour and to keep our FOCUS using the letters as a basis for his message:
Faith
Origins (of poverty, shame & alienation)
Church (not just projects)
Universal sense of calling (to the nations)
Salvation (not just works but also Word).
Envisioning seminars in the morning included Peter Lyndon from Brighton using a tray of seedlings to show how nurturing gifting can lead to a seed-bed of social action within your church. Jim Harper, Elder at Worcester, answered the question ‘Can people really be set free?’ Yes, they can! Nick Priggis from North Shrewsbury asked ‘Can we really change our communities?’ And, yes, we can! Tim Davies, Buxton Church in the Peak shared about his experience of linking with the church in Clarens, South Africa and the growth and blessings that has brought to both churches.
 During the breaks an exhibition area included stands showing the work of Bethany Christian Trust (Homelessness), Boaz Trust (Asylum Seekers), CareConfidential, Community Money Advice, Christians Against Poverty, Life for the World Trust. Over lunch there were testimonies from a number of projects including Encounter Camp, which sees people with life controlling issues receive spiritual breakthrough.
In the afternoon, equipping seminars included How to: Start a project from scratch; Maintain good practice; Preach the gospel to the poor; Engage & have influence; and How to Fundraise.
The final main session began with Heather Miller sharing stories of prostitutes she has met and helped on the streets of Bournemouth. She warmly spoke of her encouragements and set-backs, lessons learned and many tears shed over the past few years.
 The day ended with more challenges from Guy: Are we attracting the poor into our churches? Are we willing to invite the poor into our homes? Are we willing to live more simply and give away more to the poor?
(Guy and Heather Miller with Simon Allen, event host) |
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