First Fruits

In The Old Testament we read about the Israelites going and picking the first of the ripening crop before the actual harvest began. This “first fruit” would then be taken before the Lord and given fully as an offering. This action showed that they recognised that the blessing of the harvest came from God and belonged to God.

James 1:17-18

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Reflecting the Kingdom

If we are the “first fruits” before the coming of the harvest – then we need to present ourselves fully before God, acknowledging that he has given us new life and that we fully belong to him.

The gift we remember this Christmas is the wonderful and amazing gift of salvation – Christ gave himself so that we may have new life. But it is not just about receiving this gift of new life; it is about being the first fruits of the new Kingdom that God is bringing into being. We reflect this new world to all those around us now. A world of love, unity, peace and wholeness.

Gift to God

Every time we love authentically, every time we reach out to the lonely, the marginalised and the oppressed, every time we care for the poor and stand against corruption, every time we stand for justice and share the good news of Christ, every time we stand against consumerism and exploitation, every time we strive for unity and work for peace and reconciliation – we give gifts of life and service to Jesus, we reflect as first fruits the new Kingdom.

As we rejoice with families, friends and colleagues this Christmas, exchange gifts – let us remember that as Christ is our gift of new life – our lives lived as first fruits are gifts to Christ.

Sheryl Haw
International Director

Ruth Alvarado - A Special Gift

Ruth joined Micah Network back in 2007 and took on the role as Latin America Regional Coordinator. She has served with joy and faithfulness in this role for the last 7 years, reaching across Latin America to serve our network and strengthen understanding and application of Integral Mission. Her passion has always been to build and protect the lives of children and to serve the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly women. As we draw to the close of 2013 we want to take some special time to say thank you to Ruth for her wonderful service. We look forward to seeing what new steps God will direct her to and hope we can continue to walk with her in the coming months and years.

Please do drop Ruth a note at: coordinatorla@redmiqueas.org

A very big thank you to Paz y Esperanza for hosting Ruth all these years.

Change Notice

Over the last two years Micah Network has gradually changed from having regional coordinators to recruiting a global network coordinator. Application for this role was excellent with 63 people applying from around the world. 5 people were shortlisted and interviewed on the 19th December – and we will be announcing the appointment in the new year. Please do pray for this process.

Calendar 2014

We shall be publishing activities in 2014 in our next mailing – please do send all notices of up and coming events that you would like to share with the network to info@micahnetwork.org

Watch this page for news.

Happy New Year

Have a wonderful New Year celebreation - lets together increasingly share and learn together.

Thank you to all our Micah Network members for making 2013 a year of partnership and solidarity.