Global Mission Event Stresses Church Role in Poverty, Disease Battles

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 31, 2006

Lutherans and Episcopalians emphasized their commitment to the eradication of global poverty and the combating of disease as the 2006 Global Mission Event came to a close on Sunday.

"God is in the slums; God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war," U2 lead singer Bono said in a video message. "One of things I'm most proud of in my life now is to see the church work for justice as well as charity."

Bono is a leading frontman for the ONE Campaign of which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church, USA, are supporters of. The two denominations had affirmed their partnership at the four-day conference in Amherst, Mass., where some 1,300 people from around the world convened.

Serving as a co-sponsor of the GME, the Episcopal participation was a testament to the strong relationship that exists between the two churches, according to the Episcopal News Service. The two church bodies had entered into a "full communion" relationship in 2001 on the basis of the document "Called to Common Mission."

"I think historically our churches as institutions have been very engaged and doing very well with charity and giving to our brothers and sisters throughout the world," said Kim Stietz, director for international policy, according to ELCA News Service. "It's (advocacy) using your voice in total engagement to make lasting, just change."

ONE Campaign supporters have loudly voiced their support for the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), rallying Americans and faith groups from around the world. Participants discussed the role of the church in achieving the MDGs including combating HIV/AIDS.

Among the more than 80 Global University workshops was an HIV/AIDS session that featured children testifying their experiences with the global pandemic.

"It was very powerful to hear the children talk about their experiences – how they are treated and living with AIDS," said Nancy Thomas of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bronx, N.Y., according to ELCA News. "What was really enlightening was to see what other churches and other people are doing to help, even little children having lemonade stands to send money over for bandages and medication."

During the final morning session of the mission event, the Rev. Lisandro Orlov of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina expressed his dream for the church to embrace difference and be a home to those often outcast. "I have a dream that one day our church will be converted. We will become converted through our openness to difference, to otherness. That is the gesture of liberation. Our mission is to say to all people: you are citizens of the kingdom of God."