Southern Baptist Set to Observe World Hunger Sunday, October 11
Southern Baptist Convention
Hunger is no respecter of geography or ethnic group. It can be felt in an apartment in Eastern Europe, a cardboard shack in Central America, a tent in the Sahara, or a farmhouse in rural America.
Southern Baptist missionaries and volunteers are offering nourishment for the body and soul. And every Southern Baptist can have a part in those ministries through gifts to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund.
While Christ-followers, including Southern Baptists, are doing something about hunger in the U.S. and around the world, much more could be done. In fact, God expects more to be done. God expects beleivers to demonstrate an urgency to pray, to give, and to minister on behalf of those who are hungry–both physically and spiritually.
There are a number of reasons why giving to the Southern Baptists World Hunger Fund is superior than giving to charities that often advertise on television.
- The Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund uses 100% of all contributions to feed hungry people. (Personnel are already in place; thus, administrative and promotional costs are borne out of other budgets.)
- When Southern Baptists give food, they are there for the long haul, desiring to plant churches and make disciples for Jesus Christ. Thier desire is to build relationships with people and eventually lead them to a relationship with Christ.
- The Good News of salvation through Christ is always foundational. Whenever possible, the plan of salvation is shared and an opportunity to respond is given.
- In emergency situations, food aid must be given. But when possible, hunger ministries are designed to create independence from rather than dependence on food aid.
Read this critical article: Do people really go to bed hungry
In North America, Southern Baptist missionaries and volunteers provided more than 5 million meals through over 2,000 hunger ministries. There were more than 90,000 volunteers working in hunger ministries, and nearly 17,000 new volunteers were trained in evangelism. They were able to share the gospel over 785,000 times because of the opportunities provided through hunger ministries, and they
reported over 36,000 professions of faith in Christ.
At the Calvary House shelter in Beaumont, Texas, $50 provides food assistance for a homeless or transient family for a week.
At Grace Community Church in Marion, S.C., $2.80 provides two meals and two snacks for one child each day school is out of session.
Internationally, Southern Baptist missionaries and their Great Commission partners implemented over 500 projects. They addressed acute needs resulting from natural disasters as well as the chronic issues of poverty, hunger, and poor water quality.
In Zimbabwe, where citizens are suffering in a food crisis brought on in part by political strife, hyperinflation, flooding, and a cholera epidemic, $80 provides a food parcel that feeds a family of six for a week.
In India, a dozen widows and abandoned women were living in desperate poverty until they were each provided a dairy cow and calf. Through the sale of milk, the women were able to repay the cost of the livestock and support their families.
Starting Sunday, October 11, Southern Baptists will be observing World Hunger Sunday across the nation. If you are a Southern Baptist, as many of the Christian Action League’s supporters are, you are encouraged to take the following Christian action.
If you are not a Southern Baptist, you may still want to participate with them in this important ministry.
*****
Take Christian Action:
PRAY that God will help you see others as He sees them and for boldness to reach beyond your comfort zone to someone in need.
LEARN about how hunger affects those in your community, the United States, and around the world.
IDENTIFY hunger and human needs in your community and lead your family and church to be involved in meeting them.
READ about the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund at www.worldhungerfund.com.
GIVE to world hunger through a Southern Baptist church, designating your offering for the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund. Read NC Hunger Ministries Feed the Need and see what Baptists in North Carolina are doing about hunger. To discover ways you might participate in helping the hungry in the Tar Heel state, contact the State Baptist Convention of North Carolina (919.467.5100 or 800.395.5102).