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Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (John 6:55-59)
Dear faith leaders and faith communities:
This page aggregates faith-based resources to help you engage in key global health, humanitarian and poverty-focused issues. We're adding resources all the time.
Some resources simply ask for a few minutes of quiet -- like enjoying rare photos of a mass baptism in Ethiopia, original songs inspired by water, contemplative writings and scripture. Others ask for your community to take action, or for leaders to lend their voices. Make sure to check out FIA's faith-based talking points to help you and your constituencies make the case for vital U.S. government influence, leadership and funding: Foreign Aid and Faith -- Together Saving Lives. You offer a persuasive voice, compassionate lens, and a wealth of experience. Please speak up!
Inspiration in Scripture
Our scriptures and faith traditions call for us to care for all God’s children, not just those found within our faiths or our nations’ borders. Here are some Faith Leader Quotes to get you inspired and click here to find inspiration in scripture.
Resources for the Christian Community
Evangelical Advocacy is an online open source curriculum resource that provides a collection of diverse theological and intellectual materials to foster dialogue, discussion and engagement in Christian global poverty advocacy, especially related to U.S. government assistance.
World Relief has a study curriculum to mobilize churches to stand with the vulnerable and meet the needs of our neighbors called "Standing with the Vulnerable" and a book and discussion guide "Seeking Refuge"
Kay Warren shares how local churches unite with communities and governments to help find solutions to key development challenges.
Leith Anderson and Galen Carey of the National Association of Evangelicals share their thoughtful and compelling perspective on the valuable and historic role of evangelicals in global health and development: click here
ACCORD: Principles of Christian holistic relief and development principles: Integral Mission Principles: click here
Micah Challenge has a good curriculum, and also an Advocacy Guide
ECLA Church on Society statement framing why faith leaders and churches are called to engage: click here
Advocating for Justice: An Evangelical Vision for Transforming Systems and Structures by F. David Bronkema, Robb Davis, Stephen Offutt, Gregg Okesson, and Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy shows how transforming systems and structures results in lasting change, providing theological rationale and strategies of action for evangelicals passionate about justice. Each authors contributes academic expertise and practical experience to help readers more fully debate, discuss, and discern the call to evangelical advocacy. They also guide readers into prayerful, faithful, and wise processes of advocacy, especially in relation to addressing poverty.
Available at:
Resources for the Catholic Community
UNDERSTANDING:
The Global Water Crisis
Water is the single symbol every world religion shares. It purifies and sanctifies. But the lack of access to safe water and sanitation is a critical problem that undercuts progress. From health care facilities and schools to maternal and child health and preventing disease -- access to water and sanitation makes all the difference.
Each Spring, celebrate the spiritual importance of water in your faith tradition. World Water Day is March 22.
The U.S. government spends just one one-hundredth of a percent of the federal budget on global WASH! Let’s remind Members of Congress that every health and development plan, policy and legislation, must include WASH.
Compassion International partners with thousands of local churches in 25 countries to bring safe water and improved sanitation.
World Vision is investing $400 million over six years to address the global water crisis and reach 7.5 million people in Africa alone with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Living Water International is a faith-based non-profit organization that helps communities in developing countries create sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene programs in response to the global water crisis.
Catholic Relief Services says, every day is World Water Day.
Tearfund: Advocacy Toolkit and related resources:
Water in Religion is a fascinating overview of the vast role water plays across the world's religions:
Engage Your Faith Community:
Water, our shared symbol, is a most fitting place for people of all faiths to unite and lead. Check out some of the work that faiths groups in your state are doing about safe water
Fun and fruitful ways to engage youth and congregations:
Contact your denomination’s global health organization and ask about its WASH work:
Stand up for women. Supporting sustainable WASH projects is an opportunity to stand in support of all women. Like water, women are the source of life and health around the world.
The U.S. spends just one one-hundredth of a percent of the federal budget on global WASH! Let’s remind Members of Congress that every health and development plan, policy and legislation, must include WASH.
Know Your Water Usage:
Because in just four days, the U.S. uses more water than the world uses oil in a year, leading the world in per person water use. We waste food (agriculture is the biggest water user in the U.S.); over-water our lawns; flush almost six billion gallons of clean drinking water, literally down the toilet, every day.
Who doesn’t want a lower water bill?
Photo: Haik Kocharian www.haikkocharian.comInspiring Photos:
Blessed by Water, Photo Exhibit by Haik Kocharian
Contemplative Reading:
Sacred Water: Sustaining Life: A wonderful look at water and faith created for the Festival of Faiths, Louisville, KY.
Why is the Bible and Water Important to Christians?
Water and Faith Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs comprehensive report entitled Water and Faith: Rights, Pragmatic Demands, and an Ethical Lens
Inspiring Original Music:
Rondi Charleston: Land of Galilee
more about Rondi at: www.rondicharleston.com
Anna Huckabee Tull: Sweet Water
more about Anna at: www.customcraftedsongs.com
UNDERSTANDING:
Immigrants and Refugees
Refugees are caught in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Millions of children and their families are seeking safety after fleeing their homes due to conflict. Download this small group guide to help your church compassionately respond with prayer and action.
Look to scripture for guidance about refugees, and you’ll find dozens of references in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament and the Qur’an speaks of the migration experiences of many prophets prior to Islam -- Adam, Abraham, Lot, Jonah, Jacob, and Moses. Since Adam, the father of humanity, migrated from heaven to earth, the tradition of Islam considers all human beings as immigrants. The fatherland of humanity is heaven, the earth a place for temporary relocation.
Click here to read dozens of Bible references to immigrants and refugees. (New Revised Standard Version)
Photo: World Vision
Photo: World Vision
Domestic Resources
International Resources
Photo: Catholic Community Services
Photo: Interfaith Worker Justice
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.
Click here to get involved.
World Relief has volunteer opportunities throughout the U.S. to help re-settle refugees; and connects U.S. churches with partner churches overseas. They also offer World Relief's U.S. Refugee Services, the Immigrant Legal Services, Ways to Rally Your Congregation, and the "Host a Refugee Sunday" article.
The Catholic brothers, sisters and lay leaders of Maryknoll are very active in refugee work. You can sign up for their latest action alerts, and information about Short/Long Term Immersion Trips and Service Opportunities: “Friends Across Borders” offers immersion trips to Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as opportunities for short and long term service. Click here to learn more.
Photo: World Relief
Photo: Mathieu Ngah/IFRCMaryknoll Magazine Classroom Program offers free lesson plans about articles in the magazine that teachers and catechists can download free copies of the magazine for students.
Much more Maryknoll resources and thoughtful articles can be found on their website. Here are a few:
UNDERSTANDING:
Human Trafficking
Faith-based and secular groups offer a wide and deep array of resources — from how to talk to our kids and be a better consumer to prevention and care for victims:
Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking, FAAST, a strategic alliance of Christian organizations working together to combat slavery and human trafficking. FAAST provides a framework for collaboration between Christian churches, denominations, universities and communities around the world. By equipping partnerships with resources, training, and anti-trafficking programs, efforts are combined to form large-scale anti-trafficking projects.
She Is Safe partners with holistic, faith-based initiatives of local women, churches, and nonprofits, many having personally suffered under abuse, and are eager to show their communities that every person is valuable.
The National Association of Evangelicals' humanitarian arm, World Relief, empowers the local church to serve the most vulnerable. Click here to learn more about World Relief's anti-trafficking programs.
Salvation Army is committed to anti-trafficking.
Worship Resources: Freedom Sundays and Freedom Shabbats
The Episcopal Church is working in the current crisis involving unaccompanied children migrants. Contact: 202-547-7300.
Chab Dai is an international organization that combats human trafficking so its victims “can be all that God created them to be.” Its U.S. office is in Sacramento, Calif. Chab Dai also operates in Cambodia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Contact: media@chabdai.org 866-305-9800.
”Break the Chains” has also prepared a 40-page booklet to help congregations combat the problem at the local level. Contact: wmc@covchurch.org, 773-784-3000.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has developed a human trafficking curriculum and much more. The
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service serves both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, helping to resettle refugees, protect unaccompanied refugee children, advocate for the just treatment of asylum seekers, and seek alternatives to detention for those incarcerated during immigration proceedings. Contact: president@lirs.org, 410-230-2785.
International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights agency that works with congregations to combat sex trafficking and forced prostitution. Contact: info@combathumantrafficking.org, 703-465-5495.
United Methodist Women has many resources on human trafficking team.
T’ruah, formerly Rabbis for Human Rights — North America, has worked internationally on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Contact: 212-845-5201.
The National Council of Jewish Women has been combating human trafficking in the U.S. since the early 1900s. Contact: 212-645-4048.
United Church of Christ Human Trafficking Website and synod resolution.
Presbyterian Mission Agency Human Trafficking Website
WE International Inc., a Wisconsin-based Christian NGO, addresses injustice and poverty in the underdeveloped world. WE International has an anti-trafficking campaign as a central part of its mission. Contact: 608-467-7655.
Many U.S.-based secular organizations are working hard on trafficking, among them and will collaborate with the faith sector:
Photo: Vurayayi Pugeni for MCC
Photo: FAO Giulio Napolitano.UNDERSTANDING:
Hunger & Food Security
Bread for the World offers resources for preachers and teachers with:
Check out this remarkable hunger map!
UNICEF Nutrition report
Thousand Days
The Pope visited to World Food program for the first time ever... and met with interfaith leaders to promote collaboration among FBOs against hunger. Read his prayer.
UNDERSTANDING:
HIV/AIDS
The faith community can and will play a major role in many global health concerns, but one of the trickiest, and ultimately most successful, has been the unity around defeating HIV/AIDS. It’s been a 30-year fight that has brought together allies from different political parties, different administrations, and different faiths.
Ambassador Debbi Birx is the longtime head of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She began her HIV/AIDS advocacy as part of the U.S. military’s effort to limit the spread AIDS and comfort those who were suffering. Her faith-driven passion to help others sustained her through the grueling hours and the bedside of those who were suffering, as she applied her expertise in vaccine development to get a handle on how to contain a raging plague without a solution.
Looking back, she says her leadership success was due to her ability to work with people on all sides of what was a contentious issue at the time. She worked hard to see that the faith community had a seat at the table, encouraged its participation, and gave hope to so many people of faith throughout the world, who were affected by HIV/AIDS.
U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator & U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, M.D.
Photo: Children’s AIDS Fund International
Photo: Haik KocharianHIV/AIDS: More Resources
World Council of Churches
UNAIDS:
UNDERSTANDING: BREASTFEEDING AND CHILD SURVIVAL
Especially at the family and community level, religious leaders have the power to raise awareness and influence attitudes, behaviors and practices. They can shape social values in line with faith-based teachings. Religious leaders can:
Photo: © UNICEF/NYHQ2014–3667/Nesbitt
Photo: Health 24
Photo: UNICEF ROSA/2017/PirozziReligious leaders can promote and support public policy that protects the health of mothers, children, and families. Religious leaders can be powerful advocates that:
More at: Supporting Breastfeeding Interventions for Faith-Based Organizations
Every religious tradition emphasizes the beauty, sanctity and value of children and most place particular emphasis on the total care of the child. One of the most important things a mother can do is breastfeed, and many religious texts treat breastfeeding as a right and responsibility and as an act of love, sacrifice, and kindness:
The following text also points to the role of faith leaders in communicating appropriate messages based on knowledge about child survival strategies:
This page aggregates faith-based resources to help you engage in key global health, humanitarian and poverty-focused issues. We're adding resources all the time.
Some resources simply ask for a few minutes of quiet -- like enjoying rare photos of a mass baptism in Ethiopia, original songs inspired by water, contemplative writings and scripture. Others ask for your community to take action, or for leaders to lend their voices. Make sure to check out FIA's faith-based talking points to help you and your constituencies make the case for vital U.S. government influence, leadership and funding: Foreign Aid and Faith -- Together Saving Lives. You offer a persuasive voice, compassionate lens, and a wealth of experience. Please speak up!
Inspiration in Scripture
Our scriptures and faith traditions call for us to care for all God’s children, not just those found within our faiths or our nations’ borders. Here are some Faith Leader Quotes to get you inspired and click here to find inspiration in scripture.
Resources for the Christian Community
Evangelical Advocacy is an online open source curriculum resource that provides a collection of diverse theological and intellectual materials to foster dialogue, discussion and engagement in Christian global poverty advocacy, especially related to U.S. government assistance.
World Relief has a study curriculum to mobilize churches to stand with the vulnerable and meet the needs of our neighbors called "Standing with the Vulnerable" and a book and discussion guide "Seeking Refuge"
Kay Warren shares how local churches unite with communities and governments to help find solutions to key development challenges.
Leith Anderson and Galen Carey of the National Association of Evangelicals share their thoughtful and compelling perspective on the valuable and historic role of evangelicals in global health and development: click here
ACCORD: Principles of Christian holistic relief and development principles: Integral Mission Principles: click here
Micah Challenge has a good curriculum, and also an Advocacy Guide
ECLA Church on Society statement framing why faith leaders and churches are called to engage: click here
Advocating for Justice: An Evangelical Vision for Transforming Systems and Structures by F. David Bronkema, Robb Davis, Stephen Offutt, Gregg Okesson, and Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy shows how transforming systems and structures results in lasting change, providing theological rationale and strategies of action for evangelicals passionate about justice. Each authors contributes academic expertise and practical experience to help readers more fully debate, discuss, and discern the call to evangelical advocacy. They also guide readers into prayerful, faithful, and wise processes of advocacy, especially in relation to addressing poverty.
Available at:
- Bread’s store (for sale at a discount)
- Facebook page
- Amazon
- Baker Publishing Group
Resources for the Catholic Community
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources
- CRS Advocacy Tool kit
- CRS FA reform principles
- Pope Francis Encyclical on Environment and human ecology
- Economic Justice for All
- Seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching
- CAFOD and Catholicism
- David Hollenbach SJ
- Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns
- Leadership Conference of Religious Women
- Network : Catholic social justice The Faithful budget
- Catholics and civic action
UNDERSTANDING:
The Global Water Crisis
Water is the single symbol every world religion shares. It purifies and sanctifies. But the lack of access to safe water and sanitation is a critical problem that undercuts progress. From health care facilities and schools to maternal and child health and preventing disease -- access to water and sanitation makes all the difference.
Each Spring, celebrate the spiritual importance of water in your faith tradition. World Water Day is March 22.
The U.S. government spends just one one-hundredth of a percent of the federal budget on global WASH! Let’s remind Members of Congress that every health and development plan, policy and legislation, must include WASH.
Compassion International partners with thousands of local churches in 25 countries to bring safe water and improved sanitation.
World Vision is investing $400 million over six years to address the global water crisis and reach 7.5 million people in Africa alone with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Living Water International is a faith-based non-profit organization that helps communities in developing countries create sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene programs in response to the global water crisis.
Catholic Relief Services says, every day is World Water Day.
Tearfund: Advocacy Toolkit and related resources:
Water in Religion is a fascinating overview of the vast role water plays across the world's religions:
Engage Your Faith Community:
Water, our shared symbol, is a most fitting place for people of all faiths to unite and lead. Check out some of the work that faiths groups in your state are doing about safe water
Fun and fruitful ways to engage youth and congregations:
- H2O for Life
- Healing Waters International
- The Water Project
- Living Water International
- Faiths for Safe Water
- Rotary
- World Vision
- Water is Life (Catholic Relief Services)
Contact your denomination’s global health organization and ask about its WASH work:
- Do its faith-based healthcare facilities prioritizing safe water and sanitation?
- If not, explain why WASH must be prioritized and request an increased focus on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene
- Consider going on a water mission
- No more rusty pumps! Let’s make sure our charity work, works. Many houses of worship enthusiastically commit to installing “the village water pump”, but 50% of these one-off projects fail. A pump and posing for the photo-op isn’t good enough. We’ve got to dramatically ramp up and provide far wider support to what works, not to what makes us feel good. Before you donate: Ask how the organization makes sure its water projects are sustainable.
Stand up for women. Supporting sustainable WASH projects is an opportunity to stand in support of all women. Like water, women are the source of life and health around the world.
The U.S. spends just one one-hundredth of a percent of the federal budget on global WASH! Let’s remind Members of Congress that every health and development plan, policy and legislation, must include WASH.
Know Your Water Usage:
Because in just four days, the U.S. uses more water than the world uses oil in a year, leading the world in per person water use. We waste food (agriculture is the biggest water user in the U.S.); over-water our lawns; flush almost six billion gallons of clean drinking water, literally down the toilet, every day.
- Calculate your water footprint.
- Check out 50 Ways to Conserve Water, Water-Saving Tips and Water Wise tips (which also includes some fun water factoids.)
Who doesn’t want a lower water bill?
Photo: Haik Kocharian www.haikkocharian.comInspiring Photos:
Blessed by Water, Photo Exhibit by Haik Kocharian
Contemplative Reading:
Sacred Water: Sustaining Life: A wonderful look at water and faith created for the Festival of Faiths, Louisville, KY.
Why is the Bible and Water Important to Christians?
Water and Faith Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs comprehensive report entitled Water and Faith: Rights, Pragmatic Demands, and an Ethical Lens
Inspiring Original Music:
Rondi Charleston: Land of Galilee
more about Rondi at: www.rondicharleston.com
Anna Huckabee Tull: Sweet Water
more about Anna at: www.customcraftedsongs.com
UNDERSTANDING:
Immigrants and Refugees
Refugees are caught in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Millions of children and their families are seeking safety after fleeing their homes due to conflict. Download this small group guide to help your church compassionately respond with prayer and action.
Look to scripture for guidance about refugees, and you’ll find dozens of references in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament and the Qur’an speaks of the migration experiences of many prophets prior to Islam -- Adam, Abraham, Lot, Jonah, Jacob, and Moses. Since Adam, the father of humanity, migrated from heaven to earth, the tradition of Islam considers all human beings as immigrants. The fatherland of humanity is heaven, the earth a place for temporary relocation.
Click here to read dozens of Bible references to immigrants and refugees. (New Revised Standard Version)
Photo: World Vision
Photo: World Vision
Domestic Resources
- GC2 Summit resources
- We welcome refugees
- Lutheran Child and Family Service
- LSS of Minnesota study guide on Muslims
- Minnesota Council of Churches welcome refugees
- Church World Service Worship resources
- Shoulder to Shoulder
- Orthodox Church
International Resources
- United Church of Christ
- Resources for Rabbis
- Islamic Relief Worldwide: Working in Conflict: a faith-based Toolkit
- Oxfam Report : A poor welcome from the World’s Wealthy
- Christian Aid
- 6 Ways You Can Help a Syrian Refugee Today
- I Was A Stranger challenge
Photo: Catholic Community Services
Photo: Interfaith Worker Justice
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.
Click here to get involved.
World Relief has volunteer opportunities throughout the U.S. to help re-settle refugees; and connects U.S. churches with partner churches overseas. They also offer World Relief's U.S. Refugee Services, the Immigrant Legal Services, Ways to Rally Your Congregation, and the "Host a Refugee Sunday" article.
The Catholic brothers, sisters and lay leaders of Maryknoll are very active in refugee work. You can sign up for their latest action alerts, and information about Short/Long Term Immersion Trips and Service Opportunities: “Friends Across Borders” offers immersion trips to Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as opportunities for short and long term service. Click here to learn more.
Photo: World Relief
Photo: Mathieu Ngah/IFRCMaryknoll Magazine Classroom Program offers free lesson plans about articles in the magazine that teachers and catechists can download free copies of the magazine for students.
Much more Maryknoll resources and thoughtful articles can be found on their website. Here are a few:
- "Global migration crisis: From bad to Brexit"
- "Global migration crisis: Faith in action"
- "Global migration crisis: Update from the UN"
- "Catholics tell Congress: Welcome Syrian refugees"
UNDERSTANDING:
Human Trafficking
Faith-based and secular groups offer a wide and deep array of resources — from how to talk to our kids and be a better consumer to prevention and care for victims:
Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking, FAAST, a strategic alliance of Christian organizations working together to combat slavery and human trafficking. FAAST provides a framework for collaboration between Christian churches, denominations, universities and communities around the world. By equipping partnerships with resources, training, and anti-trafficking programs, efforts are combined to form large-scale anti-trafficking projects.
She Is Safe partners with holistic, faith-based initiatives of local women, churches, and nonprofits, many having personally suffered under abuse, and are eager to show their communities that every person is valuable.
The National Association of Evangelicals' humanitarian arm, World Relief, empowers the local church to serve the most vulnerable. Click here to learn more about World Relief's anti-trafficking programs.
Salvation Army is committed to anti-trafficking.
Worship Resources: Freedom Sundays and Freedom Shabbats
The Episcopal Church is working in the current crisis involving unaccompanied children migrants. Contact: 202-547-7300.
Chab Dai is an international organization that combats human trafficking so its victims “can be all that God created them to be.” Its U.S. office is in Sacramento, Calif. Chab Dai also operates in Cambodia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Contact: media@chabdai.org 866-305-9800.
”Break the Chains” has also prepared a 40-page booklet to help congregations combat the problem at the local level. Contact: wmc@covchurch.org, 773-784-3000.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has developed a human trafficking curriculum and much more. The
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service serves both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, helping to resettle refugees, protect unaccompanied refugee children, advocate for the just treatment of asylum seekers, and seek alternatives to detention for those incarcerated during immigration proceedings. Contact: president@lirs.org, 410-230-2785.
International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights agency that works with congregations to combat sex trafficking and forced prostitution. Contact: info@combathumantrafficking.org, 703-465-5495.
United Methodist Women has many resources on human trafficking team.
T’ruah, formerly Rabbis for Human Rights — North America, has worked internationally on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Contact: 212-845-5201.
The National Council of Jewish Women has been combating human trafficking in the U.S. since the early 1900s. Contact: 212-645-4048.
United Church of Christ Human Trafficking Website and synod resolution.
Presbyterian Mission Agency Human Trafficking Website
WE International Inc., a Wisconsin-based Christian NGO, addresses injustice and poverty in the underdeveloped world. WE International has an anti-trafficking campaign as a central part of its mission. Contact: 608-467-7655.
- Love 146 is a global anti-trafficking organization that works in prevention and aftercare for victims, working closely with organizations that rescue children. Offices are in New Haven, Conn.; Houston; and London. Contact: info@love146.org, europe@love146.org.uk
- Catholic Charities USA, works on human trafficking issues and policy. Contact 703-236-6218.
- US Conference of Catholic Bishops' resources
- Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center, the advocacy arm of the Reform movement, has made human trafficking one of its focuses. Contact: rac@uahc.org.
- Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement program of the Episcopal Church. Contact: 212-716-6000.
- Episcopal Church Human Trafficking Website
- We will Speak Out US https://wewillspeakout.us
- American Baptist International Ministries Resolution Against Slavery Disciples Home Missions Webpage on Human Trafficking
- National Council of Churches’ Resolution on Human Trafficking
- World Council of Churches Consultation on Human Trafficking
Many U.S.-based secular organizations are working hard on trafficking, among them and will collaborate with the faith sector:
- Polaris Project – FOCUS: Disrupt human trafficking networks
- Not for Sale – FOCUS: Micro finance projects for rehabilitation of rescued survivors
- Free the Slaves – FOCUS: Reduce vulnerability to slavery, rescue, and transform the systems that make slavery possible and has action items for faith in action
- How to Talk about Human Trafficking with Children and Adolescents - FOCUS: A comprehensive guide offered by Baylor University. Because children’s lack of awareness about this global epidemic is to their own detriment, educators and parents need to have these conversations with their students and children.
- Stop the Traffik - FOCUS: Another project rich with resources, this group uses tech and intelligence to halt the crime.
Photo: Vurayayi Pugeni for MCC
Photo: FAO Giulio Napolitano.UNDERSTANDING:
Hunger & Food Security
Bread for the World offers resources for preachers and teachers with:
- Lectionary-based sermon resources with a focus on hunger, poverty, and justice
- Special prayers and worship resources
- Brief bulletin offering updates and actions
Check out this remarkable hunger map!
UNICEF Nutrition report
Thousand Days
The Pope visited to World Food program for the first time ever... and met with interfaith leaders to promote collaboration among FBOs against hunger. Read his prayer.
- CRS has resources to get involved.
- Caritas: good case studies and resources
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
- Food for the Hungry
- World Vision
UNDERSTANDING:
HIV/AIDS
The faith community can and will play a major role in many global health concerns, but one of the trickiest, and ultimately most successful, has been the unity around defeating HIV/AIDS. It’s been a 30-year fight that has brought together allies from different political parties, different administrations, and different faiths.
Ambassador Debbi Birx is the longtime head of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She began her HIV/AIDS advocacy as part of the U.S. military’s effort to limit the spread AIDS and comfort those who were suffering. Her faith-driven passion to help others sustained her through the grueling hours and the bedside of those who were suffering, as she applied her expertise in vaccine development to get a handle on how to contain a raging plague without a solution.
Looking back, she says her leadership success was due to her ability to work with people on all sides of what was a contentious issue at the time. She worked hard to see that the faith community had a seat at the table, encouraged its participation, and gave hope to so many people of faith throughout the world, who were affected by HIV/AIDS.
U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator & U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, M.D.
Photo: Children’s AIDS Fund International
Photo: Haik KocharianHIV/AIDS: More Resources
- The Evangelical Network
- Channels of Hope for HIV
- World Evangelical Alliance
- Samaritan's Purse
- United Church of Christ
- Islamic Resources
- Religious Leaders living with HIV AIDS
- The Vatican
World Council of Churches
- Campaign Leading by Example. Religious leaders and HIV testing
- Getting Involved
- What we do
- Passion and Compassion
- Faith-based groups bring hope for a fast-track HIV response
UNAIDS:
- Invest in Advocacy: Community Participation in accountability is Key to Ending the AIDS Epidemic
- Stronger Together: From Health and Community Systems to Systems for Health
UNDERSTANDING: BREASTFEEDING AND CHILD SURVIVAL
Especially at the family and community level, religious leaders have the power to raise awareness and influence attitudes, behaviors and practices. They can shape social values in line with faith-based teachings. Religious leaders can:
- Become aware of optimal breastfeeding practices and motivate their congregations to promote mothers’ right to breastfeed.
- Model appropriate and supportive behaviors. For example, women leaders with infants or young children can breastfeed, and male leaders and “mothers of the church” can support their wives and daughters in breastfeeding).
- Facilitate communication within families to create a more supportive environment for the woman who is breastfeeding.
- Remind families of the husband’s responsibility to support the wife before and after childbirth.
- Influence communities and families to support women to only breastfeed for the first six months and to continue breastfeeding for the child’s first two years.
- Establish breastfeeding support groups.
- Create space in their facilities for women to breastfeed in private during services and events if that is the norm or mothers’ preference.
- Share messages about the benefits of breastfeeding and risks of sub-optimal feeding practices to parents.
- Connect with other leaders to create a movement to support optimal breastfeeding practices.
Photo: © UNICEF/NYHQ2014–3667/Nesbitt
Photo: Health 24
Photo: UNICEF ROSA/2017/PirozziReligious leaders can promote and support public policy that protects the health of mothers, children, and families. Religious leaders can be powerful advocates that:
- Magnify the voices of the poor where laws and policies are made.
- Influence the Ministry of Labor to make it easier for working women, for example, to exclusively breastfeed for six months.
- Influence the MOH to put in place policies to keep the mother and child together in the hours after birth so breastfeeding can begin right away.
- Advocate to the relevant Ministries not to distribute formula to mothers of children under six months old who do not really need it.
- Make it harder for companies to market infant formula to women who do not truly need it.
More at: Supporting Breastfeeding Interventions for Faith-Based Organizations
Every religious tradition emphasizes the beauty, sanctity and value of children and most place particular emphasis on the total care of the child. One of the most important things a mother can do is breastfeed, and many religious texts treat breastfeeding as a right and responsibility and as an act of love, sacrifice, and kindness:
- The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years… (The Holy Qur’an – s. Baqara [2:232])
- Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation (Holy Bible, Peter 2:2)
- As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed! (Holy Bible, Luke 11:27)
- Because of your father’s God who helps you, because of the almighty who blesses you, with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and the womb. (Holy Bible, Gen 49:25; Proverbs 10:22).
- Drink deeply of her glory even as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breast” (Holy Bible, Isaiah 66:11)
- So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned, (Holy Bible, Samuel 1:23b)
- Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast, (Holy Bible, Psalm 22:9)
- May four oceans, full of milk, constantly abide in both your breasts, you blessed one, for the increase of the strength of the child! Drinking of the milk, whose sap is the sap of immortal life divine, may your baby gain long life, as do the gods by feeding on the beverage of immortality!” (Susruta, III, 10)
- Whenever you want to do a bodily action, you should reflect on it: ‘This bodily action I want to do — would it lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Would it be an unskillful bodily action, with painful consequences, painful results?’ If, on reflection, you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both… then any bodily action of that sort is absolutely unfit for you to do. But if on reflection you know that it would not cause affliction… it would be a skillful bodily action with pleasant consequences, pleasant results, then any bodily action of that sort is fit for you to do. (Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta)
The following text also points to the role of faith leaders in communicating appropriate messages based on knowledge about child survival strategies:
- My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. (Holy Bible, Hosea 4:6 NIV)