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 Together for Hope
is CBF's 20-year commitment to offer hope to people in and
around the nation's poorest counties, all located in rural
areas. This is done by listening to local leaders and others
who work among the poor in these areas, building relationships
of trust with them, learning about existing resources, and
walking alongside them to find solutions. The hope is also
for all of us to become more attentive to the needs of the
poor in our own communities. Our goal is to work with local
residents, state and regional CBF groups, churches, and other
organizations to maximize local resources, empower community
members, and make a difference in obedience to the Lord Jesus
Christ (Matthew 25:31-46).
Barely five years old, the dream
for Together for Hope developed out of the CBF Global Missions
commitment to most neglected peoples. It was decided to research
the counties with the highest percentages of their total population
living below the nationally established poverty line, based
on the 1995 census. The 20 counties that emerged from the
study were all in rural areas in five regions (Appalachia,
Black Belt, Mississippi River Delta, Rio Grande Valley, and
High Plains) and seven states (Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi,
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and South Dakota). Out of
that list of 20, East Carroll Parish in our own state ranked
as the second poorest county in the nation.
Interest began to build and by 2003, there
was active service in 8 of the 20 counties; now efforts are
going on in all 20 counties. More than 1200 volunteers
participated during 2003 in house repair, church construction,
health care, clothing, literacy, church planting, food supply,
recreation, Vacation Bible Schools, economic development,
and job skills training. One encouraging aspect in every
county is that there are people of faith who are living out
the Good News in their presence and witness. Together for Hope
may be more like a movement than a program.
State and regional CBF organizations are
now working with people in seven additional very poor counties
that are not on the original list of 20. Just as importantly,
the volunteers and others who are participating with the people
in all of these poverty-ridden counties are realizing that
there is poverty in their own communities. They are
taking the lessons learned from their Together for Hope efforts
back home to make a difference there, too. The story is not
over, though. Together for Hope is five years
old….and growing!
Together for Hope Principles (abbreviated)
· Christ-centered: focusing on reconciliation -- people to God and people to people.
· Holistic: concerned for whole person, mindful of
the feelings of local communities
· Local Participation: affirming unique gifts, strengths
of community; collective open decision-making and citizen
empowerment
· Local Asset-Based Development: advocating for economic
and social change that will strengthen the community, its
leaders and encourage all members to realize abilities, share
resources and be self-sustaining
· Learning: listening to those from the community and
applying sound, trusted methods and innovations as co-learners
· Partnerships: working with nonprofit groups, faith
communities, schools, and government
· Long-term: staying until the quality of life is improved
· Contributions & Focus: collaboration, advocacy,
prayer, education, reconciliation, volunteer mobilization,
and resource development. In all things we will seek to bear
faithful witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ
Learn more: thefellowship.info or ruralpoverty.net
CBF has approximately 150 missionaries
serving around the world. Louisiana CBF members support this
work through their prayers and gifts through there churches
or sending offerings directly to the state office: CBF of Louisiana, 8646 Ridgemont Dr. Pineville, LA 71360. On line donations
can be given at thefellowship.info.
Louisiana CBF also supports, through
a new partnership, the work of Louisiana native CBF missionaries
Keith Holmes and Mary Van Rheenen in their work with the Romany
people (Gypsies) in Europe. Gifts designated to their
work can be sent to the state office.
This partnership will include prayer
support, financial support with an annual budget line item,
and encouragement of other kinds of support from Louisiana
members such as designated offerings, volunteer trips, and
responding to tangible needs identified.
To learn more about the Romany mission
work click
here.
Louisiana CBF has committed to the starting of a new church in St. Tammany Parish,
the fastest growing area of the state. Bridgewater Church in Madonsiville began
worship services February 12, 2006. Dr. Reid Doster serves as pastor. Learn more
about the new church start at www.bridgewaterchurch.info
Dr. Reid Doster coordinates the CBF-LA Disaster Response effort. Click HERE for more information.
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