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* Together for Hope
 Together for Hope
is the Fellowship'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 Fellowship groups, churches across denominational lines, faith groups, non-profits 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).
Launched in 2001, the dream
for Together for Hope developed out of the Fellowship's 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. Volunteers
participate 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 Fellowship 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 six years
old….and growing!
Together for Hope Principles
· 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
*Global Missions
The Fellowship has approximately 150 missionaries
serving around the world. Louisiana Fellowship members support this
work through their prayers and gifts through there churches
or sending offerings directly to the state business office: Louisiana Fellowship,
2220 South Vienna Street
Ruston, LA 71270-7219. On line donations
can be given at thefellowship.info.
The Louisiana Fellowship also supports, through
a new partnership, the work of
Louisiana native Fellowship 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 at the address above or given through the state office online here: DONATE ON-LINE
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.
* New Church Start
The Louisiana Fellowship 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, and is thriving. Dr. Reid Doster serves as pastor. Learn more
about the new church start at www.bridgewaterchurch.info
* State Disaster Response
Dr. Reid Doster coordinates the state Fellowship Disaster Response effort. Click HERE for more information.
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