In their book Rooting for Rivals, HOPE’s president and CEO, Peter Greer, and chief advancement officer, Chris Horst, write:
We’ve been given a mission and mandate that requires nothing less than the best of our efforts working together in unity for the sake of the Kingdom … It’s time that we focus on the Church’s unified mission above our organizational agendas.
This Giving Tuesday, we’d like you to consider supporting these five organizations who are impacting communities in the U.S. and around the world. For the sake of the Kingdom, together, we can empower more and more families to overcome poverty and find their soul’s satisfaction in Christ.
International Justice Mission
Image credit: International Justice Mission
There are more than 40 million people trapped in some form of modern day slavery, and 1 in 4 victims of forced labor is a child (ILO). This “industry’s” profits exceed $150 billion annually, making it one of the world’s most lucrative.
International Justice Mission is a global organization with a plan to eliminate the slave trade everywhere. They work with local partners and police to rescue those trapped in slavery, prosecute slave owners, and equip local law enforcement to put the slave trade out of business.
Learn more about IJM’s work and support their mission to eradicate modern-day slavery.
The Chalmers Center
Image credit: The Chalmers Center
How do we make sure that our efforts to help families in poverty are actually helping them, not hurting? This question, along with their desire to see the Church holistically impact those living in poverty, is at the heart of the Chalmers Center’s mission. They create resources to help churches and individuals understand U.S. and global poverty differently and equipping them to serve those living in poverty through effective, biblical approaches.
Learn more about Chalmers’ resources for churches and support their mission to change the conversation about poverty alleviation.
Compassion International
Image credit: Compassion International
Children represent almost half of all people living in extreme poverty, although they make up roughly a third of the world’s population (UNICEF), and 263 million school-aged children and teens are not in school (UNESCO). Inadequate nutrition before birth and in the first years of life can seriously interfere with brain development into adulthood (UNICEF).
Compassion International is a Christ-centered organization dedicated to meeting the immediate needs of children living in poverty, focusing also on their spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Compassion’s Christ-centered sponsorship model invests in children through sponsors and local churches.
Learn more about Compassion and their mission to see children released from poverty in Jesus’ name.
World Relief
Image credit: World Relief
There were 65.6 million refugees in 2016, and most cannot return home (UNHCR). Twenty people are forced to flee their homes every minute (UNHCR). Today, 5.6 million Syrians are displaced internationally and 6.1 million are displaced within Syria (World Vision).
World Relief partners with local churches and community-based organizations across the United States to provide support for thousands of immigrants and refugees who are seeking a place to call home. They’ve welcomes thousands of refugee families, providing services like housing, language classes, employment services, transportation guidance, and other legal and financial services.
Learn more about World Relief and their mission to mobilize U.S. churches to extend God’s love to their new neighbors.
Jobs for Life
Image credit: Jobs for Life
Unemployment is a global problem—over 200 million worldwide are unemployed and unable to properly support their families, yet only 1.9 percent of churches focus on jobs as a way to alleviate poverty in their communities (Jobs for Life).
Sharing a similar mission with HOPE, Jobs for Life partners with churches, ministries, and businesses to help prepare men and women for meaningful work through honest relationships, mentoring, workforce development training, and an ongoing community of support.
Learn more about Jobs for Life and their mission to engage and equip the Church to prepare individuals for meaningful work.
This is a fantastic example of “Rooting for your Rivals,” Peter and Chris—well done! Thanks for leading the way toward the unity that Christ called us to! May God continue to guard and guide HOPE International!
Revolutionary announcement … you have matched your actions with your words!
HOPE is a wonderful Organization, helping to propagate the Kingdom of God in different ways.
good
Greatly inspired by the kingdom mindedness of HOPE INTERNATIONAL and its leadership. The Kingdom of God is too big than the wall of denomination, organizations and nationalities. Service to all creation is important and streamlining areas of focus is very important indeed
In so many ways your organization is earning my trust as one that honors our Lord Jesus Christ in the way you operate. I am glad you are doing what you do! I found you by searching the internet for an organization that serves with the vision you have, and you are fulfilling my hopes for such an organization beyond any expectations.
Thanks for your encouragement, Janet!