Stop - Thief!


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

I grew up in a country that was in civil war. There were destructive weapons used: mines, guns, bombs, torture, rape, ambushes. The responses were: bomb drills, security convoys, security searches when entering all buildings, compulsory call up for military duty for all and vehicles adapted to survive mines.

The most destructive weapons and responses though were prejudice, hatred, fear, revenge and propaganda lies about “the other. The political exchanges from both sides focused on rallying indignation and influencing through a “self-righteous” rhetoric that convinced communities caught in the conflict that the only answer was force; the only defence was aggression.

I have a vivid memory of the day my best friend’s dad was killed when his vehicle went over a mine. My friend was only 12 years old at the time – when last we met some 30 years later, I still see the loss in his eyes. He still asks the question, “how can a God of love allow such pain and destruction?

John 10:10 sheds light on the world’s condition. The thief (Satan) comes to steal, destroy and kill. This in no way absolves or excuses our own decisions and responses, our own actions and re actions. But what it should do is cause us to look behind what is happening. To ask what have we all had stolen from us, what has been /is being destroyed and killed? We need to see this through the eyes of all concerned.

One of the things stolen from us is truth. In John 8:44 Jesus states that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Hearing the questions in Europe which say 'where is Jesus in this destruction, where is God’s love now?', I am reminded of the parable of the Sower which shows that the Word of Truth is snatched away from those who are hearing by Satan (Matthew 13:19). The Truth is that the God of love suffered and died on the Cross for each one of us. Yet some in our world look for miraculous signs (such as protection of only themselves), others look for clever political arguments that sound emotionally pleasing, but we preach and live Christ crucified - which seems a stumbling block for those who seek signs and religious foolishness to those who rely on military might. (I Corinthians 1:27)

Another thing stolen from us is love. What does it look like when love is stolen? The feeling / emotion replaced is selfishness. The power of selfishness distorts our rationale. We make statements such as “we will not let this impact our way of life” or “we will protect our values and freedoms”. The thought and fear that we will lose what we have turns our selfishness into rage against anyone who is threatening.

Think of all the fruit of lies and selfishness: disunity, fear, anger, prejudice, walls of division.

We need to take our pain to the Cross and let Jesus transform it so that we become salt and light in our communities to the truth and love of God.

We need to speak out truth and show a Kingdom perspective on all that is going on in our world.

Our hearts break and cry out to God for profound losses experienced in Mali, France, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries around the world. We must live out, speak out and be the change we long to see.

Sheryl Haw
International Director, Micah Global

Promoting Peace Conversation

StopArmut


On the 31st October 2015, StopArmut (Micah Switzerland) facilitated their "Promoting Peace" conference. Nobel prize winner Leymah Gbowee encouraged participants to stand for peace in our everyday lives. During the meeting the Micah Call to Action was read, and about 150 people lit a candle to confirm that they want to take action for a more just and peaceful world.

National Coordinator: Peter Seeberger

Meet the StopArmut Team here.

Integral Mission and Church


Micah Bangladesh: Event Summary

National Integral Mission Conversation
Integral Mission and Church

More than 125 aid organization leaders & local church pastors participated in the Micah Bangladesh Conversation "Integral Mission & Church" from November 25th – 27th. The event was co-organized with the Dhaka Pastors Fellowship.

The main focus of this Conversation was to explore ‘how we engage local churches in integral mission’. Both local and international guest speakers encouraged us towards a better understanding of integral mission and the practice of partnership and unity amongst Christians. All participants were inspired through these messages and some took the opportunity to share what they had learned and how they would apply this in their work.

The following issues were highlighted as key learnings:
• Partnership between Aid organizations & Churches
• How can the perspective of local communities be changed?
• Strategic plan of integral mission.
• How to be inclusive (involve more denominations).

Participants also had the opportunity to express their hopes and expectations for the role of Micah in Bangladesh into the future.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

IDPwD


The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) is recognised annually on December 3rd.

The theme for 2015 was: Inclusion matters: access and empowerment of people of all abilities.

Did you know?
15% of the world's population live with a disability - that is 1 billion people.
22% of the world's poorest people have a disability.

CBM Australia published a blog and other useful educational resources to highlight this theme and to celebrate the explicit inclusion of disability in the Sustainable Development Goals which were agreed upon globally in September.

Among these resources is a helpful and entertaining video here, highlighting the need for commitment from leaders, organisations and individuals alike to achieve these inclusion goals.

COP21 update

COP21 update


The United Nations' 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) is currently underway in Paris and several of Micah Global's members are actively participating both in Paris and around the world - raising their voices to encourage global leaders to take seriously the need to care for creation.

The latest news:

A Rocha International, along with the Lausanne Movement and other partners, hosted a one-day conference in Paris on Saturday December 5th on the topic of 'A Christian Response to Climate Change'.

A group of Tearfund UK supporters and staff have walked to Paris as a pilgrimage of prayer and action.

Micah Challenge USA travelled with a group of Christian musicians and artists to learn and share their own journey towards climate justice.

At Micah Global, we encourage everyone to continue to pray for the ongoing Paris climate talks which conclude on December 11th. We hope to see our global leaders commit to an ambitious plan for a sustainable and just future for all of creation.

Micah Events

events


United Kingdom: Micah UK
A national Integral Mission Conversation
Location to be announced
28th January, 2016

Haiti: Courage for Change
A national Integral Mission Conversation
18th - 20th February, 2016

Nepal: The Local Church - Agent of Change
A national Integral Mission Conversation
29th - 31st March, 2016
This event was postponed in 2015 due to earthquake
Guest Speaker: Johannes Reimer

Moldova: Theme TBC
A national Integral Mission Conversation
April 8th - 9th, 2016

Germany: CCD Conference (Micah Europe Regional gathering)
Doing Church God's Way? Rethinking faith and development.
Europe Regional Consultation
30th May - 3rd June, 2016
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For more information about our events, or to discuss the possibility of a Micah Conversation in your country, please email events@micahnetwork.org.

Global Consultation Follow up

Global Consultation


Since September, we have been busily working on compiling all of excellent resources from our Global Consultation in Lima into a single, compact and accessible DVD and digital download format. We hope to have these available by the end of December.

The final event report will also be made available soon to all who attended.

In the meantime, you can have a taster by viewing the video summaries on the new Micah Global YouTube channel.

International School of Reconciliation


International School of Reconciliation for peace practitioners
"Healing Hearts, Changing Nations"

Dates: 9th to 26th August 2016,

Location: Kigali Rwanda.

Language: English and French

Micah highly recommends this 3 week intensive training for all who want to see their nations healed from the pain of conflict and prejudices.

For more information and to register: click here

Books to Consider

Books


Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century
This book brings together a team of multi-disciplined scholars, writers, activists, and leaders from around the world and provides a compelling look at the diverse group we call Evangelicals. In this guide, written by those who know the movement the best, the issues that divide and the beliefs that unite this global Christian movement are presented in a journalistic fashion.

The Great Chasm: How To Stop Our Wealth from Separating Us from the Poor and God
Derek W. Engdahl (Servant Partners) invites us to explore the rift that too often separates the rich and middle class from the poor. Taking the Gospel of Luke as his central text, Engdahl reveals the critical importance of crossing that divide to live in communion with the poor and with God. More info here.
 

Creative Corner: Mosaic Film


The Woman who Touched the Cloak

A creative film based on the biblical story of the woman who touched the cloak; told in her own words, describing her transforming encounter with Jesus, who healed her and restored her to her community. This film has been used to envision church members to work alongside their communities to respond to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised.

It is available for a small price here.

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Do you know of creative resources encouraging understanding and practice of integral mission? Send them to coordinator@micahnetwork.org.

Vacancy: Executive Director UMN

UMN

United Mission to Nepal (UMN) are seeking a new Executive Director to lead them into the next stage of their organisational development within the dynamic country of Nepal.

Based in Kathmandu, the new Executive Director will:

- Provide Overall leadership of the organisation under the UMN Board of Trustees, including spiritual leadership
- Manage the organisation to ensure it achieves its strategic objectives, and continues to adapt to the changing needs of Nepal
- Embody, communicate and promote the vision, mission and values of the organisation
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders both locally and internationally, including Government and donors.

Closing Date for applications: January 31, 2016

To find out more about this role and to apply, please contact umnedrecruit@gmail.com.

Did you know...?


Did you know you can access the archives of Micah's monthly newsletters on our website here? A valuable collation of resources, training opportunities and news from the Micah community around the world.

You can also subscribe additional email addresses to our newsletter subscription by sending an email to info@micahnetwork.org.