Working to Overcome Poverty

WORKING TO OVERCOME RURAL POVERTY

 

The Rev. Clark Jenkins wants United Methodist people to remember their long-standing commitment to the poor living in Appalachia. The 2008 General Conference adopted poverty as one of four areas of focus for the church to direct its resources and ministries.

 

Fulfilling the church’s mission inspired Jenkins to organize the first regional conference on "Abolishing Poverty in Appalachia" last summer. Methodism founder John Wesley “served the poor in a variety of ways as a response to God’s grace through clinics, schools, soup kitchens and other services,” Jenkins pointed out.

 

Workshops and speakers focused on the biblical and theological basis for eliminating poverty, the multiple dimensions of poverty, long-term solutions to poverty, and congregational models that address poverty and policy change. John Hill, economic and environmental justice director, General Board of Church and Society, lead the discussion on policy changes that affect poverty.

 

Your congregation’s support of the World Service Fund throughout Iowa Conference apportionments nurtures the work of the General Board of Church and Society as it advocates for economic justice. Thank you! For more information visit their website: General Board of Church and Society.