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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After endorsing the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals in October, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship focused on its commitment through a report by CBF moderator-elect Jack Glasgow, workshops and the launch of new ministry initiatives at the 18^th annual General Assembly in Memphis, Tenn.

 

In June 2007, the Assembly sent a motion to the CBF Coordinating Council “to investigate the feasibility and means by which the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship might be involved in acting with other bodies to reach the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.”

 

The eight goals are eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; decrease HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and create global partnerships for development.

 

“These goals focus on the very things that matter to a people who seek to be the presence of Christ among the most neglected,” said Glasgow, who presented a report during the June 19 business session. “Caring for the poor, the hungry, the sick and the oppressed is consistent with the ministry and teaching of Jesus. It is a part of the missional DNA of our Fellowship movement.”

 

In October, the Coordinating Council voted for the Fellowship to work toward the MDGs. The council also inventoried how CBF field personnel were already working toward meeting the goals. More than 100 related ministry projects are underway, including a new initiative called Water for Hope.

 

Introduced at the Assembly, Water for Hope “builds on the assets of communities and on partnerships with churches and other groups to overcome the water crisis in places like Ethiopia, Southeast Asia, Thailand and Uganda,” Glasgow said.

 

At the Assembly, the council also approved a two-year partnership with Micah Challenge USA, a global campaign to mobilize Christians to end poverty.

 

“This joins CBF with other evangelical groups in America who support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and want to assist congregations in their own awareness and support of the goals,” Glasgow said.

 

The Fellowship offered 18 Assembly workshops related to the MDGs, including a session on micro credit. The CBF Foundation is launching a new initiative to provide small loans to the poor who have no collateral and lack access to capital. By investing in these micro enterprise loans, Fellowship Baptists, churches and partner organizations can help alleviate global poverty.

 

Glasgow told the Assembly he hopes CBF can be a “learning community,” where field personnel, staff and churches share ideas about how best to meet the goals.

 

“We want to assist churches in educating and involving their members in ministries that address the goals. And, we want churches to share with us their unique and creative ways to engage in ministry related to the MDGs. This is the right path for missional churches to travel,” Glasgow said.   

 

For more information, visit www.thefellowship.info/mdg.

 

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.