Go Micah

Poverty is a difficult thing to get your head around. There is so much suffering all over the world, it can be overwhelming. God calls us to look after the poor, to speak for those who have no voice in this noisy world.

Micah Challenge gives Christians around the world, such a voice. It began in 2000 with Joel Edwards at the helm, "a small group of us had imagined a Christian movement that mobilised people around the Millennium Development Goals [MDG] — eight promises to reduce poverty which the United Nations initiated at the dawn of the Third  Millennium. These eight promises to the poor came about when 191 nations committed themselves to half absolute poverty by 2015."     

This dream has become a reality. Micah Challenge is not a charity or aid organisation. It is a campaign designed to equip Christians to speak up for the poor. This is based on the verse in Micah 6 verse 8, "He has shown you O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah Challenge Australia holds the Federal Government accountable for promises they made in 2000 to the Millennium Development Goals and to raise the aid budget to 0.7% Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015. Australia agreed to the UN Millennium Declaration that read, "We will spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected." It all sounds very complicated but it is all about accountability. Without this, who knows if Governments around the world would even have gone close to meeting their goals. Good old Norway is leading the way with an impressive 1% GNI contributed. Australia is creeping towards its pledge of 0.5% GNI.

Micah Challenge isn't just about numbers. They also have some issues they would like addressed. They call them the 'Five Key Asks', developed to ensure that MDGs are achieved, including:

1. Give more and better aid
2. Cancel poor country debt
3. Ensure Trade justice
4. Support good governance
5. Tackle climate change

These 'Asks' ensure that money and other provisions are used efficiently.

What else does Micah Challenge do? 

• They don't fundraise but are financially supported by the campaign coalition partners (various aid and development organisations).
• They raise awareness. Each year has a different focus, in 2009 this was child and maternal health contributions. Following this campaign, the Government responded with an increase of health aid by $155 million. This brought the Australian Government closer to honouring their Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health (MDGs 4 and 5).
  This year the focus is on child mortality, focusing on children surviving past the age of five. So this year, Micah is encouraging churches and organisations to hold a 5th Birthday Party. Here, people are encouraged to sign a card supporting the Micah Challenge message that it is simply not good enough that children around the world die of preventable diseases such as diarrhea or pneumonia.
• They mobilise the church. Many Christians have a genuine desire to be vessels of God's mercy and love in this world. People often get lost in the enormity of the world's suffering and it is difficult to know what to do. Micah Challenge gives practical teaching on how to make a difference in the world.

PUC's connection:

Our own Courtney Matheson has had a passion for the poor since she was a teenager. Courtney has now joined the ranks of Micah Challenge as their communications intern. Fresh from a trip to Zimbabwe, Courtney has seen first hand what is needed in third world Africa. Her role at Micah Challenge is a varied one including writing press releases, website content, marketing, social networking, invitations and writing blogs. If you want to catch the spirit of Micah Challenge, just spend a few minutes talking to Courtney.

Your mission:

There are many Micah Challenge events you can attend to be proactive in the fight against poverty.

1. Sign the Micah Challenge Call – the more people that add their voice and get behind the Micah Challenge campaign, the stronger the impact will be.

2. Pray! Pray for Micah Challenge, pray for our local members: Bronwyn Bishop and Tony Abbott, pray for Parliament and for Micah Challenge’s campaign actions.

3. Hold a 5th Birthday Party or get along to Pittwater Uniting Church’s (PUC) 5th Birthday Party – date to be confirmed.

4. Meet with your local MP and raise issues about the MDG’s.

5. Attend 'Voices For Justice' in Canberra, 19-22 June 2010.

6. 10/10/10 — This event is for Christians across the globe to rally together and make a stand against poverty. (More actions will be released closer to the date).

7. Volunteer — in the National Micah Challenge office or you could even help PUC’s ‘Mission to the Needy’ team effectively get involved with Micah Challenge campaign actions. (Contact Courtney)

Let's not sit back and be overwhelmed. Be empowered and inspired by the work of Micah Challenge and stand up for the little people who need your voice. Be a part of a worldwide campaign for justice and the eradication of poverty.

For more information contact Courtney Matheson at courtney.matheson@gmail.com or log on to micahchallenge.org.au

Emma Watson