Speak up for the poor. Whether you are in the resourced world or living in poverty use your voice to
influence policies of the powerful. The church has long recognized and responded to the need to nourish people spiritually and physically but also with the strategic use of influence. Advocacy is Seeking with, and on behalf of, the poor to address underlying causes of poverty, bring justice, and support good development through influencing the policies and practices of the powerful.
Mpongwe Mission Hospital is a receiver of international aid that Zambia has gotten as result of advocacy. When you speak up for the poorest countries in the world your advocacy efforts can influence policies, budgets, governments, aid agencies, research organizations and international organisations. Thank you for speaking up for Zambia.
Thoughts on Advocacy inspired by World Relief
Why Advocate?
Proverbs 31:8: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Advocacy for justice and on behalf of the poor and oppressed is based on biblical truths and on the example of Jesus. Scripture constantly emphasizes the importance of showing compassion, (Matthew 25:31-46), seeking justice (Isaiah 58:1-14), defending what is right (Proverbs 31:8), and showing mercy (Micah 6:8). Seek to follow the example of Christ, who intervenes on our behalf to God, as our advocate. Because of Christ’s love and support of us, we receive freedom and eternal life. As Christians we are called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing Christ to the world and speaking on His behalf. Defend those who are oppressed, weak and who do not have a voice of their own, just as Christ defends us.
What is Advocacy?
Tearfund, an international development organization actively involved in advocacy, provides a great definition:
Seeking with, and on behalf of, the poor to address underlying causes of poverty, bring justice, and support good development through influencing the policies and practices of the powerful.
Advocacy is not just responding to individual needs, but influencing policies and structures that create poverty and oppress God’s children. You can use your voice to educate and mobilize churches on the important issues of our day and speak out to those in positions of influence so that the vulnerable, oppressed and poor will receive the dignity, rights, and freedom God desires for them.
Advocacy resources
Micah Challenge and Micah Challenge Zambia
Tear Fund
One
World Vision