Citizen Project
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14
Poverty
Our Perspective
At Cherry Hills Community Church our vision statement affirms our commitment to become “a congregation mobilized...to elevate the urban poor." Jesus was always concerned with the poor and the sick, and spent a great deal of time with them. He instructs the church to do the same, showing compassion one to another, bearing each other's burdens. We believe we are heeding God’s command when we serve "the least of these" and this is an ongoing journey as Moses instructed the Israelites: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." (Deuteronomy 15:11)
As we look around the city and even in today's suburbs, we observe that people living in poverty face a kaleidoscope if issues. Noted Scholar Ruby Payne defines poverty as "the extent to which an individual does without resources". These resources can be financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical. Poverty has many causes including social oppression, economic recession, poor work ethic, and continuing misfortune or catastrophic events. Both the government and the church have roles in alleviating poverty, but the church and para-church ministries are uniquely equipped to meet physical needs while at the same time offering the good news of Christ to feed souls.
Cherry Hills offers our congregation many opportunities to help those less fortunate both locally and globally, equipping them towards self-sufficiency and out of poverty.
Find out more about our outreach to the poor through
City Ministry.
Find out more about
Manna Ministry, a food and clothing bank run by Cherry Hills volunteers.
Questions To Consider
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Since the problem of poverty can be overwhelming at times, what is one area where I can be of service and focus my efforts?
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What is the role of government in poverty, and what is the role of the church?
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What proposed legislation reflects both a Biblical compassion for the poor as well as following moral guidelines set forth in God’s word?
Principles from Scripture
“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? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:17-18)
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
“Learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
“The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7)
“John (the Baptist) answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’” (Luke 3:11)
“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.” (Proverbs 14:21)
Words From History
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” – President John F. Kennedy
“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Theresa of Calcutta
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Resources:
Contact
Keri Brehm
303-325-8382