BST's Blog

This is a letter from Rick Warren that went out to a group of faith leaders. (Also see Mike Cope's blog from this weekend). Praise God that a pastor in a large church in America is actually trying to do something. Click HERE to sign.

June 3, 2005

Dear co-worker in Christ,

I have a simple request -- but it could determine whether millions live or die.

You’ve probably read in the papers about “The ONE Campaign: To Make Poverty History” that’s been endorsed by a wide coalition of folks from all across the faith and political spectrum. Helping the hurting is something we all want to do.

I’ve never been involved in partisan politics -- and don’t intend to do so now -- but global poverty is an issue that rises far above mere politics. It is a moral issue … a compassion issue … and because Jesus commanded us to help the poor, it is an obedience issue! He told us to do all we can to alleviate the pain of our brothers and sisters: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40, NKJV)

That’s why John Stott, Billy Graham, and many other evangelical leaders are joining me in lending our names and prayers to this campaign. I deeply believe that if we as evangelicals remain silent and do not speak up in defense of the poor, we lose our credibility and our right to witness about God’s love for the world: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17, NIV)

We are blessed to be a blessing to others, and certainly America, as the most blessed nation on our planet, has the greatest obligation to help those who are stuck in poverty around the world. Last month, I was in Kenya and Uganda, and then in Rwanda where the average income in that nation is 67 cents a day! Imagine trying to raise a family on that.

If you were hopelessly in debt, with no chance of ever getting out of debt -- or even your children getting out of debt -- you’d despair. But if someone cancelled all your debts -- as the Bible commanded Israel to often do -- you’d have the hope of a new future. The poor aren’t asking for a handout -- they just need a hand up!

This summer, at the G8 conference, our nation has a historic opportunity to lead the world by showing a visible and significant commitment to the fight against global poverty, hunger, and disease. In early July, President Bush will gather together with leaders from the world’s eight wealthiest nations in Edinburgh, Scotland, to discuss these very issues -- especially in Africa.

We all grieved when 250,000 lives were lost in the tsunami in Southeast Asia. But there is a health tsunami of that proportion in Africa every 12 days!

What can we do? For the past two years, I’ve had 4,500 of our Saddleback members quietly testing a prototype of our global P.E.A.C.E. Plan in 47 countries. It is a strategy for small groups in churches to show compassion. Once we have the template perfected, we’ll share it with every church that’s interested.

But there is something much simpler that you can do right now: Join me and other evangelical leaders in an open letter to President Bush that encourages him -- with our support and prayers -- to take specific, measurable actions to fight poverty, hunger, and disease at the G8 summit. Below is a copy of the text of this open letter we’re sending.

All I need you to do is e-mail me back at rick@peace.gs giving your name and title, and I’ll add your name to the list. Also you can visit www.one.org for more information.

If you can send a copy of your signature (preferably in a jpeg format) to add to the bottom of the letter, that would be great, but don’t let that delay your response. We'd rather hear from you now.

Thanks in advance for showing your compassion for those suffering from disease, hunger, and poverty.

May God bless your ministry,

Dr. Rick Warren
Pastor, Saddleback Church
Author, The Purpose Driven Life


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We saw Madagascar yesterday. WE LOVED IT! The kids laughed (although not as much as I did). It was a great day. We had "Thomas Family Fun in the Sun Day" aptly named by Sheryl. My mom had gotten the girls this big beach ball thing that squirts water. We had that going and played in the water and ate pizza and danced and laughed all morning. My mom and Kiki were there which made it even more fun. I think none of us know what to do with ourselves. We're just all ready to see Sam.

I won't be blogging again until I have seen the face of my son. Whoa. Hang on....need a sec to process that one. (Thank you, Lord!) We check into the hospital at 6:15 in the morning. We'd appreciate your prayers. (And, um...thanks for the suggestions. While we already knew most of those, I appreciate the reminder. I think.) Did I mention that Sheryl also took a midnight walk last night? She went downstairs and got Kiki and they went walking. I think she's ready, don't you?

Father, You have answered our prayers in bringing this baby into existence. I ask you, Lord, to continue to watch over him as he goes through some really hard stuff over the next couple of days. What a shock it must be to leave such a happy, safe environment and be thrust into the world of hunger, bright lights, loud noises, and interrupted rest. Thank you for knowing what that's like. Bless Sheryl and please keep her safe. Bless Sam and keep him safe too. Thank you, Lord!

Here's the order of worship this morning--

Welcome—Tim Woodroof
Family Prayer
Meet and greet
Praise and Worship—BST
--Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
--Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
--Holy Spirit, Rain Down
--Reading John 6:33, 35
--Break Thou the Bread of Life
Prayer
--Magnificent--BST and team

Teaching—Tim

--Reflective Meditation
--Here I Am to Worship
--O Sacred Head (vs 1&2)
Supper
--O Sacred Head (vs 3)
Offering

Birthday Sunday—Bob Enkema
Ministry Moment
Shepherd’s Close
--You Are Holy (Chorus only)