Maximizing Efforts for Relief, Care and Youth Worldwide
The Benevolent Arm of the International Christian Churches
Overseen by Nick and Denise Bordieri
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.” Proverbs 19:17
“Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.” Proverbs 22:2
“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” Proverbs 28:27
“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
“The poor you will always have with you.” Matthew 26:11
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27
After Kip and Elena asked us to consider leading the formation of a benevolent arm within our movement of churches around the world, we reflected on our experiences living, working and traveling in different regions of the world where we witnessed first-hand the poverty, despair and hopelessness of so many.
We went back home to study the Scriptures to better understand what God had to say about the poor, the needy and the destitute. As we read, God made it very clear that there will always be the poor, the widows, the orphans and those who are in need among us. What was also very clear was His command, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to “give”, “defend”, “encourage”, “share”, “look after” and “be kind” to them. If we follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion for those in need, “we will honor God”. (Proverbs 14:31) However, “if we close our eyes to the poor we will receive many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27) As we read and prayed, we were broken and convicted seeing God’s heart toward those who are in need.
We are very excited and extremely humbled to be appointed to lead this effort for God’s new movement. At the 2008 Jubilee, we kicked it off with a contest to name our new benevolent organization. We received an overwhelming number of responses. Thank you to all who submitted names. After reading the many entries and through much prayer, we are very excited to announce the name of the new organization: MERCYworldwide, an acronym for Maximizing Efforts for Relief, Care and Youth worldwide. The winner of the contest is Shay Vloet. (more…)
