Robert Gempel noted in one discussion, "HOPE worldwide desperately needs the input of the churches as we move forward." This is a little update on what we have been doing so far, as well as results of our survey.

HOPE worldwide and Benevolence Committee Update

As a result of the ILC meeting in Los Angeles a number of committees were created to address needs that our fellowship faces together. We have formed a committee involving the leadership of HOPE worldwide as well as a number of church representatives committed to the cause of helping the poor. First of all, the Committee wants to say "thank you!" Thank you to all the saints and churches who are helping the poor locally. Thank you to all the disciples and congregations who are giving to specific international programs to help others, far away from home. And thanks to all the Christians and fellowships who are contributing to the global effort, flexible "unrestricted" funds that allow HOPE worldwide's team to build partnerships and meet needs around the world. 

The Committee has met three times so far for conference calls lasting about 75 minutes, as well as having frequent email communications between members. Each call begins with a prayer and a mini-lesson from the Scripture about God's perspective about helping the poor and the ministry of Christ. Another regular feature of our calls is good news about the churches' giving and serving of the poor (and how to connect with churches in local regional opportunities). Each call also includes a discussion on how HOPE worldwide can better understand and meet the needs of the churches. As a result of one such discussion, a survey was sent out to the delegates of the "cooperation churches" as well as representatives of other congregations, asking their thoughts about what the churches would like to see from HOPE worldwide and this committee. The survey results are attached here. 

HOPE worldwide helps children one at a time in this Delhi school

The Committee discussed amongst itself what it would like to achieve this year, and we agreed that it was to promote re-engagement of the churches in helping the poor, and communication about the churches involvement with helping the poor. We will measure ourselves at the next ILC by considering

• number of local churches supporting the poor locally;
• number of local churches supporting specific national and international efforts for the poor;
• number of local churches supporting the global work of HOPE worldwide with their members giving $1 per week.

The Committee has discussed many specific opportunities for two-way interaction between HOPE worldwide and church leaders, as well as members at multi-church conferences. The new dynamic partnership between HOPE worldwide and the Red Cross has been a regular topic of discussion, with regular updates on each phone call. The upcoming Campus Conference (July 2008) in New Orleans has also been a focal point.

Many members of the committee have been engaged in their local areas in appealing to congregations to consider supporting the work of HOPE worldwide at the level of $1 per member per week (equivalent to sacrificing something like a nice STARBUCKS drink every month). Many churches are increasing their giving to the poor, and a number of others are re-engaging in helping the poor, "the very thing I was eager to do," as Paul said in Galatians 2:10.

As a committee we want to encourage disciples and congregations interested in doing more for the poor to feel free to offer your thoughts or service. The members of the committee include:

Agenda Items Covered So Far:

Agenda for January 14, 2008

1. Fellowship followed by Scripture sharing/prayer by John Causey.
2. Follow-up on communication with churches--good news sharing about commitments.
3. Discuss survey results, actions to be taken as a result?
4. Red Cross update (Antonio Boyd)
5. Setting of next conference call for Monday, February 18th, 2008 at 11AM EST, 8AM PST.

Agenda for December 17, 2007

1. Fellowship followed by Scripture sharing/prayer by John Brush.
2. Follow-up on communication with churches--good news sharing about commitments.
3. Follow-up on communication with churches--key communications that need to occur.
4. Shall we survey the delegates to ask them what this committee should achieve?
5. What would you like this committee to achieve by Kiev?
6. Comments from group members on what the churches would like to see from HOPE.
7. Setting of next conference call for Monday, January 14th, 2008 at 11AM EST, 8AM PST.

Agenda for November 19, 2007

1. Fellowship followed by Scripture sharing/prayer by Mark Templer.
2. Brief discussion of member responsibilities. Setting regular time for calls (11AM EST, 3rd Monday of every month; Monday, December 17th, 2007 11AM EST is next call).
3. Identifying potential key people who might join us. These are people who might represent "unrepresented" regions, or bring interesting perspectives/networks into the group. Vice Chairman John Causey has already been working on this.
4. Considering any special XMAS messages from HOPE to the churches.
5. Identifying who from the churches could at the Global Summit receive an award thanking the churches.
6. Encouraging follow-up with churches concerning 2008 budgets. This discussion might include some talk about key churches in each region. Establishing communication plan about this.
7. Discussion of the Red Cross service opportunity and how this could be rolled out to the churches (Antonio Boyd).

Potential Future Agenda Items:

1. Study/consider the long-term strategic relationship between HOPE worldwide and the churches, particularly the long term funding model that will be sustainable and win-win for all involved.
   • How do we use church funds to help the poor locally, directly in the third world, and support the global organization which raises such money for work in the US and abroad?
   • If we do find a desirable "long-term" model, how do we transition to such a model without creating problems for HOPE worldwide and the churches in the short and medium term?
   • What is the process we should use to figure this out?
2. Discussion: Is generosity in the area of benevolent activity a strength of our movement? Does every church in our movement accept the basic theology that Christ calls us to serve the poor and needy as one of our core beliefs? Is there any way we can help?
3. Discussion: Do US churches all know how to launch a sustainable local benevolent effort? What can HOPEww do to equip them?
4. How do we more effectively communicate with the churches and their members?

HOPE worldwide & Benevolence Committee
Mini-Survey Feedback

Suggestions for Committee

Facilitate greater engagement of the churches in:

1. Giving to HOPE worldwide on an unrestricted basis ($1/member/week)
2. Serving the poor locally

Study/consider the long-term strategic relationship between HOPE worldwide and the churches, particularly the long term funding model that will be sustainable and win-win for all involved.

• How do we use church funds to help the poor locally, directly in the third world, and support the global organization which raises such money for work in the US and abroad?
• If we do find a desirable "long-term" model, how do we transition to such a model without creating problems for HOPE worldwide and the churches in the short and medium term?

Strengthen the sense of engagement between the churches and Hww

• Appeal to ministry leaders to send in write-up's about what their ministries are doing to support HWW/poor. We need to support HOPE in highlighting its work, but it should be our responsibility to bring to the attention of the churches what great things different churches/ministries are doing in their involvement with HWW
• Ask ministry leaders to promote HWW through their websites more
• Encourage leaders to highlight HWW's Charity Navigator ranking
• Coordinate a domestic or international collective effort/event. A suggested example: "Would it not be possible for us to have a worldwide marathon? All churches who would like to take part in it can come forward. We can select a date (or different dates) and do this together. We can have thousands of runners, and this can be an excellent way of raising funds and getting united. Our church did one in 2007, and it was smashing success."
• Discuss volunteer organization. It might help to create direct connections between churches and specific HOPE programs

Suggestions for HOPE worldwide

Enhance communication/interaction

• The HOPE WW website should highlight more of the works going around all over the world, many places are left out. Not all HOPE sites are listed on the webpage.
• Highlight 1st world HOPE work to inspire 1st world churches to do more than give money
• Highlight 1st world work outside of US
• Give the churches that support HOPE a powerful monthly story to be used in the monthly HOPE contribution (for those of us who have one). Communicate needs and victories
• Establish more direct connection between 1st world churches and specific 3rd world HOPE programs, perhaps by creating volunteer opportunities that link certain churches to certain programs

Help us find a nice blend of local efforts and involvement in the global effort

Involve participants from non-US churches in HYC/HVC

Assist disciples who are trying to establish relationships with potential donors

• Publishing how much main sponsors give
• Sample letters on how to write to companies that can be downloaded to help disciples approach this matter with respect and with useful information that may tip their decision to helping us. There should be various different ones, some for supplies, some for donation etc.