Introducing “The Justice Conference,” a gathering of intentional Wasted Evangelism in Action8/25/2015 In 2013 I was introduced to The Justice Conference, a gathering of evangelical, socially-minded Christians in Philadelphia around issues of justice. I was overwhelmed as over 3,000 Christians came to be challenged about local and global issues on poverty, oppression, and other issues of justice. Hundreds of organizations, agencies, NGOs, and church-centered ministries set up booths—artists, coffee entrepreneurs, hydroponics, medical practitioners, even some young ladies in middle school raising money to send poor African children to good schools. The Justice Conference vision is “to serve the discovery of ideas, celebrate the beauty of justice, and foster a community of people who live justice together.” Althought the physical conference has found a home in Chicago, the conference is a multisite venue, being hosted in home towns and churches throughout the United States, and as well, also hosted in Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia). They are one of the largest Biblical and Social Justice Conferences that brings world-class Speakers and artists together, all designed to catalyze emerging works of justice around the globe. The Justice Conference has emerged as one of the premier gatherings for Christian leaders, justice practitioners, students, and learners from all over the world. They seek to leverage the power of community and catalyze the work of justice globally, nationally, locally and personally. What if Christians truly lived out the message of Jesus and transformed their communities through their love and the practice of authentic justice? This idea was put into action by Ken Wytsma (Antioch Church, Bend) and Stephan Bauman (World Relief), who together, founded and facilitated the first The Justice Conference in 2010. Since it’s birth, momentum continues to build and the vision for The Justice Conference continues to reach thousands of people around the world, connecting a generation of men and women around a shared concern for the vulnerable and oppressed. They have created space in the life of the church and in our busy calendars for God’s church to help find practical ways to involve people in issues of justice—both in their day-to-day lives at home and around the world—by providing first rate exhibitors, literature (at the Conference Bookstore), pre-conference sessions and spotlight organizations. The 2016 Justice Conference is scheduled for June 3-4 in Chicago. Consider joining them >> *The content above is adapted from The Justice Conference website.
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One of WastedEvangelism’s “In Action” highlights puts into practice the multiplying effect of biblical social action: Joseph’s Storehouse, a non-profit food bank co-op ministry in South Florida, provides a ministry to families and individuals who face food scarcity and through its food development resources also provides area food pantries with pounds and pounds and pounds of food. Here’s their Facebook post from this morning and the picture they shared.
Our congregation is a community church set within The Hill section of New Haven, Connecticut. Last Saturday my wife and I joined The Hill's annual reunion gathering, for a day of music, Hill fellowship, highlighting local entrepreneurs, and community strengthening. Our CPC in The Hill church (booth) spot shared space with another non-profit ministry that exemplified Wasted Evangelism in Action. Olivia Davis harnessed her traumatic life experiences, relied on her faith, and created a non-profit that seeks to help women who have had similar experiences: Women in Recovery Education, or W.I.R.E.--mostly from her own pocket (and a small grant from a local community foundation). Why W.I.R.E.? To lead, to show the way, to direct. W.I.R.E. began in 2006 with one woman's search for help. She had experienced many traumatic situations as a child, a young woman, and even as an adult. Her spiritual up-bringing kept her strong and searching a way to recovery for herself--and then for other women facing similar trauma. "We must find ourselves, our talents and develop them to its fulness. In addition, use it to help others and us." Women and girls in distress need help to impact their immediate problem, assistance effective enough to make a real difference in their lives. They must be provided with information that is useful and understood. In addition, they need a foundation to stand on. As a child, Olivia experienced many traumatic situations that continued into adulthood. She found that she was always struggling to move on. It was her spiritual background that kept her motivated, strong, and eager to learn. She learned about gender specific support groups, but also discovered many existing gaps in services for women. She realized that the information provided for many women was valuable, but was sometimes also used against them. As a drug counselor intern herself for those in the recovery process, she fought for and facilitated support groups for women. The hope of W.I.R.E. is to strengthen the well-being of individual's struggling with depression and begin to help them build the character to sustain their continued healing and personal growth. W.I.R.E. provides education and emotional support to women. The mission of WIRE is to combat social decline and delinquency among women and girls who have been afflicted by a traumatic situation, and the stigma that is associated with it. Olivia's vision for W.I.R.E is to energize the attitudes of distress women with needed information and resources, compassionate understanding, and positive direction so they have hope to improve their quality of life. Along with workshops and presentations, Olivia also provides:
*Some of this material has been adapted from the WIRE Facebook page and brochure Nearly 1 in every 7 people on this planet is without potable (clean and useable) water to drink, bath, and cook. Now please understand, this is not 1 in 7 that you see. The people you see everyday are not the seven. When you and I see 7 people, all most likely have access to water. Yet, there are close to a billion people, everyday, who do not—so if you go to places like Haiti, the Philippines, Malawi, Liberia, Uganda, and, right now, Nepal, you will see, not 1 in 7, but 7 (and more), who everyday do not have clean water to meet their bathing, drinking, and cooking needs. Agencies like Water Missions International bring water and supply the means to sustain the resource (i.e., the technology, resources, equipment, expertise, and training) to places and communities that are without water. This is a global crisis. One billion people wake up everyday without safe drinking water. Children are sick and weak, which leads to disease and death. There is a constant struggle to find the most basic of human needs. The lack of safe water and adequate sanitation worldwide is a crisis. This crisis steals the lives of 5,500 people each day—more than war, natural disasters, AIDS or hunger. The lack of water is the chief reason for the death of our children worldwide. Water Missions International is a truly a Wasted Evangelism ministry in action, taking a comprehensive approach to combating the crisis and, as a result, are transforming communities and changing lives every day. They are helping to solve the global water crisis community by community. Water Missions International does not simply place a water system in a community and leave. Their skill engineers and staff design and customize sustainable safe water and sanitation solutions to meet the needs of individual communities. They partner with the recipient community throughout the process of implementing and developing a project. Staff monitor and evaluate the project and follow-up with the community to ensure the projects sustainability and success. As a result of the devastating earthquakes and its aftershocks, Water Missions International is currently responding to meet the urgent need for safe water in Nepal, literally at the top of the world. According to the Nepal WASH cluster, over 4.2 million people suffer from inadequate food and water supplies, and the threat of cholera grows each day as a result of unsanitary living conditions. Staff are working in collaboration with partners to respond to the urgent need for safe water as a result of the devastation. Water treatment equipment, including 10 Living Water™ Treatment Systems and up to 20 chlorination devices, was sent to Nepal. Water Missions International staff have been on the ground and have implemented safe water in 10 communities, giving access to 11,197 people. You can support this effort in Nepal, as well as a number of water projects around the globe. *Much of this material is adapted from Water Missions International's website.
Amy is a 20-year youth ministry veteran, who passionately ministers to teens involved in gangs, youth on probation or parole, and those lost in the juvenile justice system. Her core strategy is life-on-life mentoring. As a certified Gang Intervention Specialist, she move into Chicago’s Humboldt Park community to be a “Hope Dealer” to young men involved in gangs or youth affected by gang culture. Amy is a National Trainer for Youth Specialties and, as well, has been a speaker for Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Devos Urban Leadership Initiative, Mission Year, and the Urban Youth Workers Institute. She is available as a speaker, workshop facilitator, or an Emcee for youth events. I have had the privilege of hearing Amy speak on more than one occasion and found her to be insightful and very motivating. She is a great example of Wasted Evangelism in action. Amy Williams is A Hope Dealer. Connect with her through her website, schedule her as a speaker or emcee. Youth Advocate. Speaker. Trainer. Mentor. Author . . . Christ Lover. |
Wasted Evangelism In Action BlogEvents, moments, organizations, and other items that demonstrate the concept of Wasted Evangelism. The goal here is to connect you to Wasted Evangelism in Action. Archives
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