Radio personality Andrew Urquhart has stepped up to the challenge of encouraging Kiwis to do their part in reducing global poverty and raising awareness of injustice around the world.

SIM New Zealand is the latest organisation to join the Micah Challenge network. "It is great to partner with you" says Nigel Webb, Director of SIM New Zealand. 

SIM New Zealand sends people to join in with what God is doing around the world in Africa, Asia and South America.  "Our mission partners minister among the poor, in faith initiatives, in health, education and in community development.  SIM stands with the poor and with your help we can offer practical, holistic assistance, through both aid and initiatives aimed at getting at the roots of poverty."

Find out more about SIM New Zealand from their website.

The Auckland Anglican Social Justice Council has joined Micah Challenge as an Associate Member. David Hall, a member of the Council writes about their decision to support Micah Challenge:

The Auckland Diocese has a number of sector Councils to reflect the Anglican Communion’s fivefold marks of Mission as follows:

“Poverty Hurts Your Soul” is the title of a new paper published by the Conference of European Churches. They say “In Christian understanding, poverty and social exclusion are understood as a failure to uphold basic human rights (cf. Amos 2:6f; 4:1). The alleviation of poverty was from the beginning an essential part of the proclamation of the Gospel “to preach good news to the poor …, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, …” (Luke 4:18). Over the centuries churches therefore engaged in combating poverty and social exclusion.”

It is easy for us living in the wealth of New Zealand to consider the damaging effects of the daily struggle with grinding poverty, and to agree with a shudder that yes, poverty must be harmful to their souls. It would be harmful to my soul if I had to live like that!