Evangelicals to press for action on global poverty

The “Micah Challenge” is an evangelical initiative to address global poverty. Taking its name from the call to do justice in Micah 6:8, it started in 1999 with the formation of “The Micah Network” which now includes over 250 relief and development organizations, a majority of whom are from the southern hemisphere. The Network’s objectives are: (i) to strengthen the capacity of its member organizations to address poverty issues; (ii) to press governments in richer countries to promote justice for the poor; (iii) to do both in the context of “integral mission” and “holistic transformation.” The Micah Network is joined in the initiative by the World Evangelical Alliance which has member churches in 111 countries.

The initiative invites people to sign “The Micah Call,” available at micahchallenge.org. It is also planning a major international lobbying effort to press governments to implement the eight Millennium Development Goals, adopted by world leaders at a UN conference in 2000. These goals, to be reached by 2015, are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

—MCCC Ottawa