[5 minute read]

Hello EMCC,

International Development Week is acknowledged across our nation from February 4th to 10th. Across the country, there is a concerted effort to come together to learn, share stories, and create change around the sustainable development goals.

We, as followers of Jesus part of the EMCC, have a unique perspective in contributing to a brighter, more equitable world. Knowing that we serve a God of mission, who seeks to reconcile of all things to Himself, we can participate with the help of the Holy Spirit. In what ways are we called to serve those around us, assisting in ways that uplift the dignity of others, and contribute to the restorative picture the Triune God is building? Through the power of the Spirit, we can make use of the freedom we have in Christ for the well-being of others.

Paul exhorts the church in Galatia to consider the use of their freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:13-14, says this.

¹³ You, my brother and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another in humble love.

¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

This week World Partners will share stories of how global partners continue to address the community development needs of their neighbourhoods with loving servants' hearts for those they encounter. We want to continue to learn from the example of our global partners and friends around the world and are grateful you are joining us in this.

Stories this week will include: 

• How our work with other agencies and global partners, as members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, is having an impact on people's short-term and long-term food security needs;

• How Inundo Development continues to work towards its mission of teaching people to grow food in ways that enables them to realize abundant yields from their land and the broader context in which they are doing so;

• How the Nepali church continues to serve vulnerable children and youth in their community;

• How leaders in Haiti are serving seniors, by creating an environment which feels like family; and

• Engaging in prayer for other global partners, co-participating with them, and supporting them as they engage the opportunities in their contexts. 

Feel free to read, pray and/or post. May these be moment for each of us to assess how we serve one another in humble love, and consider how to partner well with the Global Church.

Today, we will be focusing on how our global partner in India is sacrificially giving and creating community in a variety of neighbourhoods across in Kolkata. The team serving under the umbrella of Salvation for All Ministries have been engaged for over 18 years in a variety of initiatives, with particular focus in two areas.

The first is leaders serving at-risk children and youth and through an initiative called 'Little Angels'. After experience with other children and youth NGOs, this team leads a 3 hour program, 5 times a week to connect with at-risk children and youth. There is provision of informal education, practical helps such as a nutritious meal and personal hygiene supplies, and spiritual input through Sunday School programs.

The team longs to see that the 45 children and youth have a safe space to go, succeed in secondary school education, and help increase their physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. The team hopes this initiative can grow, to serve and humbly love more children and youth in their immediate neighbourhood.

The second area is through a disciple-multiplication initiative called Neighbour to Neighbour. In Shane's words, this initiative is to encourage participants "....to reach out to their neighbour, sharing the love of Jesus in word, deed, and life--reaching out to their local community." The goal is to reach out to 1,000 people in each community each year, for a total of 5.000 people served over the course of 5 years. Currently, more than 90 people regularly join for weekly worship and study in 5 places in Kolkata, through the wall-to-wall, or neighbour to neighbour contact.

World Partners invites you to join with us in an EMCC Connected Across the Globe event on Friday February 9th (11 am EST/9 am MNT), as we connect with partners in South Asia and engage in prayer for the stories shared this week.

#IDW2024