10.10.10

The theologian Walter Brueggemann said that to be in history is to be in a place somewhere and answer for it. As we live at this unique point in history in which it is possible to deal with extreme poverty, we need to answer well.

The Millennium Development Goals, which the United Nations initiated, are an historic response from our world governments. They also require an equally significant response from the worldwide church as we hold governments to account on delivering on these promises. Micah 2010 is a special campaign to focus on our promise to the poor, ten years after nations around the world committed to halve global poverty by 2015.

When Micah Challenge was launched at the United Nations building in 2004, the Rt Revd. Njongonkulu Ndungane, Archbishop of Cape Town, said in his opening address, “The Millennium Development Goals are the most comprehensive and ambitious commitment that the world has ever made to combating the evils of poverty...
It is God’s challenge to us to be his agents of hope in this hurting world.”  

The challenge is not only to understand the time but also to rise effectively to the prophetic task. The apostle Paul would have used the word ‘kairos’, the opportune time. Whether we are placed in the global South or North, all of us have a significant role to play in developing effective advocacy and build a broad platform for strategic action. 

10.10.10 is a day that will further enable us to ‘answer well’.

10th October provides us with an ideal setting to give an account of the hope that we have. It enables us to creatively display something of God’s heart for the poor as an integral part of the Gospel. And it reminds the world that the global church is alive and well as they hear the sound that will rise from believers in over 40 nations.

History is filled with significant prophetic movements that have brought about a seismic shift in society as the Christian faith stimulated a commitment to justice. In recent times, Christians have led the US civil rights movement, campaigned against communism, spoken out against apartheid, and called for the cancellation of international debt. They have worked towards monumental shifts, affecting moral, social, historical, economic, spiritual and legal dynamics.

Micah 2010 involves us all - people from every nation, tribe and generation.

Micah Challenge has prepared a variety of resources to enable Christians around the globe to mark the 10.10.10 day. The theme is around hands: hands held up in prayer. hands held out in promise, hands held out in support. In Aotearoa New Zealand the Micah Challenge members want to include a particular focus on the MDGs relating to child and maternal health issues. In addition to the International Micah Challenge resources we have added resources around these themes. The following list shows what the resources are, and has links to more information. Start planning now for your church to be involved on Sunday 10 October!

• The Global Prayer: the joint prayer for justice in the nations is a vital part of our advocacy and demonstrates our dependence on God as we seek his wisdom and rely on his strength and guidance. The prayer for Micah 2010 echoes the themes of Nehemiah who prayed before he embarked on the mighty task of restoring Jerusalem.
• The Big Promise: this promise resonates with Paul’s heart, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." (Gal. 2:10). 10.10.10 is a day to recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice, to be mindful of the poor in the way we live and encourage action from our leaders.
• The Big Hand-over: the collection of handprints from children, youth and adults will remind our leaders that we have only five years remaining to meet our promise. Hands mean worship, hands pledge support and are used to demonstrate God's love. The colourful display of handprints that will be handed over to politicians is also a symbol of our faith and action coming together.
• Run a "Survive Past 5" 5th Birthday party: MDG 4 aims to cut infant and child deaths by two-thirds by 2015 from 1990 levels. In the Asia-Pacific region 18 of 29 developing countries are not on track to achieve this target. We want to see a ‘Survive Past Five’ 5th Birthday Party held in every New Zealand electorate in 2010. This will show our leaders that communities around New Zealand want our Government to meet our commitment to achieving the MDGs. Find out more with this resource.

Micah 2010 incorporates the goal of Micah Challenge: to deepen our commitment to the poor and to advocate for and with the poor against injustice and poverty: 

• While change has to be worked out through policies that contribute towards eliminating poverty and developing a greater level of justice, and while we should hold governments to account on delivering the Millennium Development Goals, we can only be good stewards of this vision if we aim to spend ourselves on behalf of the poor (Isa. 58: 10).
• In our time, we commend Micah 2010 to the wider world, appealing to its conscience, inspiring its response and providing the dynamics for worldwide transformation.
• Visit the International Micah 2010 website for more information on what is happening for 10.10.10 in other countries.

Together we are the people of God who recognise our place in history and answer for it.

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