Wow!  What a powerful evening of conviction.  Tonight I was moved by two individuals that personify Jesus in their words... but more importantly their lives.  Dick Alexander and Mary Kamau  convicted us to move beyond words to action in making a global impact.

The evening began with a question and answer with Mary.  I had not had the fotune of hearing her story before tonight and I was both inspired and moved.  Mary Kamau is a Kenyan citizen and is the founder and director of Missions of Hope, International in the Mathare slum of Nairobi. Along with her husband Wallace, she has established 10 school serving the needs of thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Mary remind us that meeting physical needs and spiritual needs should not be an "either or"... but a "both and".  She pointed to the life of Jesus as that example, pointing people to God's amazing love AND healing and relieving their physical hardships.  Thousands of people have been rescued out of poverty, prostitution, HIV Aids and given the opportunity for education and a better life AND have discovered the love of Christ through the Kamau's efforts. 

Dick pointed out that Mary and her husband could have chosen to walk away and turn their backs on the slums because they had received University educations and where doing very well, with many opportunities... but they did not.  When asked why, Mary responded, "Because of the love of Jesus Christ and my people".  Her interview concluded with a standing ovation and a “thank you for not walking away!

Following a couple of songs by the worship team (amazing talent on that stage this week BTW) Dick Alexander came back up to share his message.  As a side note... Whenever I listen to Dick Alexander speak I remember a saying, "Empty barrels make the most noise".  Dick may have a softened voice due to vocal cord damage... but he is full of great wisdom and compassion.

After what seemed like 2-3 minutes of complete silence Dick began to speak saying, "That moment of silence was for the 2.5 billion people in the world that exist on less than $2 a day, the 40 million people in the world with HIV- Aids, the 24 thousand children in the world who died just today largely from preventable causes, the 24 million slaves in the world (the most ever in all of humanity) and the 2 billion people in the world that have still yet to have the opportunity to hear about the life changing love of Jesus Christ."

So what do we do?

Dick read from Luke 4:18-21 and pointed out the example of Jesus' action.  Jesus met both the needs of the physically oppressed and the spiritually oppressed.

As American's we have so much.  Even in the midst of a recession we can still eat meals… we still have a roof over our heads and medical care.  We are wealthier than 98% of the world’s population if we can say that about our circumstances! 

So what do we do?

We need to follow in the footsteps of Mary Kamau... the footsteps of Jesus Christ… and be a part of the solution.  Good intentions are not enough!  Good intentions won’t feed a child, won't plant a church and won't save a soul.

So what are we going to do?

We all received a card challenging us to fulfill Luke 4:18-19 with our actions.  What will you do?  Let us know by responding to this post...

I will go beyond what I am doing in global ministry by:
    -going short-term or long-term to serve on a mission field.
    -regularly pray for_________________
    -increase my financial giving to_____________
    -other_____________
    -I will ask my church to go a step beyond what it is doing in global ministry.