Journeying Together in Mission… Responding together to the needs of the most vulnerable with HOPE
Have you ever wondered how can we reconcile the disparity between the good fortunes of our nation with the desperation of our nation’s poor and vulnerable people?
Our Lord says:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28
Economic Leaders say:
“Australia will jump two spots to become the 11th largest economy on the globe by 2025.”(Report, published by the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (27 Dec 2017)
How can it be that, in the one of world’s leading economies and democracies, approximately 3 million Australians are living below the internationally accepted poverty line including over 731,000 children?
What’s worse… those sad statistics don’t even begin to provide insight into the depths of deprivation and vulnerability, nor any appreciation of the levels of despair, trauma or the forgone opportunities that are often associated with living in poverty. So how might faithful people respond to this confronting dilemma?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer… but what I do know is that our Lord’s salvation plan is that all people, from all nations, are invited to come to Him!
As we celebrate Baptist Care SA Month during August, I am pleased to report that by working with and on behalf of the Baptist Churches of SA, lives and communities are being transformed. Every day, the dedicated staff and volunteers of Baptist Care SA are working with faithful people in local churches and with government agencies and other community groups and organisations and with the support of generous individuals to overcome barriers, develop resilience, make positive community connections and lead fulfilling lives.
By working together, we can provide ‘Transition Pathways’ to overcome hopelessness, helplessness and disconnection.
Whilst the challenges are confronting, it seems to me that our Lord has entrusted and mobilised and His Church to be an instrument of change here “on Earth… as it is in Heaven”.
Reflection: ‘So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal’ (See Corinthians 4:13-18)
Through His grace, we believe the optimism of our actions far outweighs the pessimism of our thoughts. I believe people of faith are called to be agents of HOPE and I encourage you and your church to consider what role you may need to play to transform your neighbourhood and community.
Graham Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Care SA
