'B1' Campaign Links Methodist Youths to Poverty

By Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, February 12, 2009

Young United Methodists may soon find themselves fasting to connect to the world's poor as part of the church's upcoming anti-poverty campaign.

The "B1" campaign, a 24-hour fasting event for youth, will launch in six pilot conferences across the country in March, according to the church's Global Ministries Web site. B1 stands for "one being, being one," promoting the idea that each person should live with a sense of responsibility and connection to others.

Participants will be encouraged to take part in voluntary food fasts, education and fundraising for anti-poverty projects.

The food fast is based on the passage in Isaiah 58:6-8, which begins: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke...Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter…"

"B1 takes place during Lent, a time when we think of self-denial as a spiritual act in preparation for Easter," said Rachel Harvey, who worked with the youth staff and the originating congregations in developing B1, according to the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church.

Young United Methodists involved in the program will be introduced to how they can help empower the poor and change the systems that keep people around the world impoverished. Also, B1 participants will be asked how as Christians they should relate to brothers and sisters who are poor.

"We hope and expect that B1 will build on the experiences of these conferences and become a part of the youth ministries of the entire United Methodist Church," said the Rev. Shawn Bakker, director of The Advance – the United Methodist-designated mission giving channel. "Planning for B1 has included consultation with the Division on Ministry with Young People at the General Board of Discipleship, which is on board with the campaign."

Pilot B1 conferences will take place in New Jersey, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon and in Virginia.