Welcome to this area. We hope you find the mini-article below interesting, and that you get useful information form here and from the links we have provided. That way you can get involved in campaigning about different issues as you desire. Please just go to the sites and get involved! Campaign of the moment: Open Doors is an international Christian charity which works to spread the Gospel in countries which restrict religious liberty and the preaching of the Gospel. They get Christian literature and training materials into those countries covertly, and also work with pastors and local Christians to support them whilst under threat of, or as they are actually experiencing, persecution. Sneaky work, but very good. The UK arm of the charity has recently set up a Youth division. Click here to get to the Open Doors International site. Check out the site for more information and navigate to the UK site through the main one, or click here. Please support the new youth wing, and indeed the main charity, if you are able. Why and When we should Campaign There are a lot of issues about which people campaign. We have not currently got the scope to cover many of these issues, but some of the web links have very good resources and links for this. As Christians, what should we be campaigning about, and why? Well, campaigning to help persecuted Christians is fairly obviously a good thing to do. Indeed, it is not just good, it is our duty. As Scripture says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8,9). Scripture also says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1,3). How about when non-Christians are suffering in some way? Well, we should love all people. Our neighbour is whoever we find who is in need. Even though we do not come across starving people in the Western world, we can do something to help them by giving to charities. It can also be productive to campaign for more justice for poor countries, for example by campaigning for the cancellation of third world debt. The reason we give or campaign is out of love and obedience to God, and love for other people, not merely duty. What is essential is that we make sure, where ever possible, that we also bring the Gospel to people who are in physical need, as well as bringing them practical help. To bring the message of salvation which we have in Jesus is essential - for that is how people can be saved. We must bring the Gospel “in words” to everyone we can, but where we have the opportunity, we should also demonstrate the Gospel through our benevolent and generous actions. We get tired of “Christian“ charities which manage the practical part, but fail to do all that they can to share with people the message of salvation that is the true Gospel. It is our conviction that we should in some sense prioritise our giving and support to Christian charities that do do their best to share the Gospel in words with people who do not know Christ. Writing letters of complaint to governments and other bodies of authority can be very effective. It makes them realise that people are aware of that issue of oppression or injustice, exposing them on the international stage, and often bringing political pressure on them. We can support campaigns in various ways - by sending money to Christian charities, writing campaign letters, or changing the way that we shop and spend. An example of a timely campaign to write to your government about would be concerning greater global economic opportunity and justice. In the UK, this has been an area which members of government have started to take seriously, and this can be built upon. There are many issues of justice that Christians can and should campaign about. These range from movements that help the poor, to religious and political freedom, to campaigning for the environment. Please get involved. If you want, please send us an article on a campaign which you feel is important, explaining why, Biblically, we should support it. Also, if you want, send in a more general article about the Church and campaigns. For important information about sending what you write to us, please go now to the “Contact Us” page; click here. The Persecuted Church Every year, thousands upon thousand of Christians are killed for their faith. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ; let’s do something to help them by supporting the work of the good charities below. You could either give financially to a charity, or write letters of complaint to the authorities which are ultimately responsible for these abuses. The charities concerned will provide all the information you need. Persecuted Church Contacts and Links Open Doors International - www.od.org. Open Doors UK - www.od.org/oduk. The Voice of the Martrys - www.persecution.com. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (UK) - www.csworldwide.org. www.hometown.aol.com/brskeeper/index.htm - links and resources. The Barnabas Fund - www.barnabasfund.org. www.persecution.org - lots of links. Various Charity and Campaign Links Charity Directory - www.caritasdata.co.uk. www.thehungersite.com (as it sounds!), www.therainforestsite.com (as it sounds), www.oneworld.org (huge campaigns resources and links). www.eia.org (Environment Investigation Agency). Christian Links Evangelical Alliance (UK) - www.eauk.org (Christian Campaigning), www.speak.org.uk (Christian campaigning). Tear Fund - www.tearfund.org (campaigns and helping the poor). CARE - www.care.org.uk (UK Christian campaigning and political action). www.cafod.org.uk/agencies.htm - lots of links, including Christian, on campaigns and social awareness issues. www.cbmuk.org.uk - Christian Blind Mission. www.global-focus.org.uk - Christian thought and action on Kingdom involvment in global issues and structures. |
