How can Elim be really good news to those people in poverty

Churches are good news to people battling debt!

INTRO by Mark Greenwood
Ever heard the phrase, ‘Can anything good come out of…?’ Well, this has often been said of Bradford, but, coming from Bradford myself, I am proud of the fact that lots of amazing Kingdom-impacting ministries have not only come out of Bradford, they have had an impact further afield in the UK and beyond. Granted you won’t get a better curry anywhere than in Bradford (that’s scientifically verified! – well it should be anyway), but there is something much more to get excited about.

Christians Against Poverty was started in Bradford and has gone on to help so many people get out of debt. I personally know many who have benefitted from their expert help.

Martin Lewis, of Money Saving Expert, said of CAP, “Christians Against Poverty isn’t about helping Christians, it’s about helping people. The drive, the reason you do it, is your Christianity and your faith and I will never knock that. I think that’s right. The most important thing is the enormous number of results, and every time I mention Christians Against Poverty, I get people who tell me how it’s changed their lives.”

Rachel Arnold, Head of Church Engagement at Christians Against Poverty, explains...

I recently celebrated my fifth year working at the UK charity Christians Against Poverty, heading up the Church Engagement team. A particular privilege I’ve had is seeing people discover hope as they begin to connect with their local church through the CAP service that they’re providing.

I get to hear day in, day out, about the brilliant work local churches are doing and the integral part this practical action has in bringing people to faith in Jesus.

CAP’s vision is to see transformed lives, thriving churches and an end to UK poverty. That’s why we only operate in partnership with churches – because we want to see churches as the beating heart and the light within their community – actively serving local people’s spiritual and physical needs, preaching the good news in word and deed.

CAP has seen tens of thousands of lives positively impacted through the powerful combination of practical help, restorative church communities and Jesus’ love.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (Jan 2024) there are 14.4 million people across the UK living in poverty.

Half of all the budgets our debt advisors create are now impossible to balance; meaning half of our clients are trying to survive on an income that doesn’t even cover their basic essentials. Millions of people are feeling trapped, desolate and abandoned.

These are the pressing practical and emotional needs that churches can help meet in their communities. With millions trapped in its grip, poverty can feel huge and complex, and any potential escape routes can seem narrow or make minimal impact.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. We know from the Bible that God’s desire for our lives is not that we might merely sur- designed us to thrive and exper ience life in all its fullness. As American theologian Dal las Willard said, “The gospel is not just forgiveness, it’s the abundant, joy-filled life, marked by love and purpose that Jesus has afforded for us (John 10:10).” As Christians, that’s the good news we preach. A thriving individual can contribute to society and live a dignified life, rather than battling to be seen or heard.

Thriving parents can provide for their family, rather than struggling to clothe or feed their children. Thriving communities are where people are supported, feel able to participate and feel valued, rather than having to live in miserable social isolation. Thriving churches offer the opportunity for people to explore a relationship with Jesus and discover their identity as a child of God: loved, unique and forgiven.

Elim churches are good news to those experiencing debt and poverty!

We cannot settle for the bare minimum in this fight – if we are to imitate Christ, we need to continue to deepen our faith and step up our commitment to creating change. At CAP we believe God is calling his church to embrace the ‘life to the full’ that Jesus promises, and we have produced free resources to enable your church to explore UK poverty further. Go to capuk.org/capsunday to find out more.

OUTRO
Many churches run CAP projects, so why not head across to the Christians Against Poverty website and join other Elim churches in being Really Good News to people in debt.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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