Poverty is not just a story of developing countries, but an issue that is affecting many communities in the United States of America. “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, and more than 800,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line.” (alabamapossible.org/programs/povertysimulation/)

As a church, we are called to engage our congregations and raise awareness of how we can be in ministry WITH the poor. There is a mutuality of relationship as we share God’s love and grace in our ministries with the poor as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

How can we be in ministry WITH the poor rather than ministry TO/FOR? When we acknowledge and respect cultures, gifts, resources, and practices of a community, we are willing to be equal partners in the mission and work that God is already doing in that community. Engaging in ministry WITH the poor means we are willing to build relationships by knowing the people, learn their story and listen, explore their needs not assumptions, and the willingness to do the hard work of transforming lives. Ministry WITH the poor is a relational-based and transformational ministry.

Go to the people,
Live among them,
Love them,
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But of the best leaders, their task is done,
The people will remark, “We have done it ourselves.”

Our vision in the North Alabama Annual Conference is:

Every church engages in Christian Community Development with a community of need.

Mission:

Build effective ministries with the poor embedded with a path to discipleship.

As a conference, we will be guided by eight principles as we engage in ministry with the poor:

1. Relocation
2. Reconciliation
3. Redistribution
4. Leadership
5. Listening to the Community
6. Church-based
7. Wholistic
8. Empowerment

To read more about each principle visit http://www.ccda.org/about/philosophy/