The Harvest Church in Fombe, Malawi - living out integral development. Photo: Marcus Perkins/Tearfund
What’s integral development?
When we live out our faith, and get involved with issues of poverty – through our prayers, by giving money to Tearfund’s work, by filling in a campaign postcard – our faith is visible to the world. We’re ‘loving our neighbour’ in the way that Christ commands – both in the sense of someone living right next door, and also in caring enough about the world’s poorest people that we’re prepared to stand up with them as they take steps to a better future.
American pastor Bill Hybels says ‘The local church is the hope of the world.’ By serving those around us, at home and miles away, the local church can improve life for everyone. This is the local church operating at its best – being church like the one in Fombe village, Malawi, where HIV is such a widespread problem, but stigma keeps it underground. The local Harvest church in that village has responded to the need on its doorstep by recognizing the problem and taking action. Pastor Henry now holds a weekly slot on HIV as part of the church service, helping to raise awareness and encourage prayer - a huge support for people like Agnes, a member of the congregation living with HIV .
At Tearfund we take what’s known as an integrated approach towards development. People in your street, just like people living in the world’s poorest communities, are more than stomachs to be fed. Breaking free from poverty means engaging with people on every level. Cuthbert Gondwe, of Tearfund partner Eagles, recalls the beginning of their work in Fombe village:
‘When we first came there was too much dependency. We got the people together to talk about changing the village and all they could say was, give us food. Whenever we discussed the problems and how they could be solved, all they said was, you do it for us. It took us time to help them think about what they could do to change their own lives. We ran sessions about planning their own development. We told them it was their own story and we were just coming in to help. They have done lots of things on their own and they just ask for our guidance. They are able to think on their own and plan.’
This is why working through local churches at the place of need is such a powerful way to help people. Churches know and care about the people who are their neighbours. They see them as more than just mouths to feed - they know what they’ve been through and the kind of help they need.
Tearfund is a signatory to the Red Cross Code of Conduct [link to page with this on in full] because it enshrines the principle of respecting the people we support. It states that aid is to be given regardless of race, creed or nationality, that aid will never be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint. This is of vital importance to us because it’s the kind of ‘development work’ the Bible describes.
The Bible tells us that God wants us to be salt and light (Matthew 5), loving our neighbour (Luke 10:27) and bringing about his justice and mercy (Micah 6:8):
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Micah 6:8)
To act with justice and love mercy is central to the purpose of the church. It’s a vital and global agent for helping people in poverty, regardless of race, creed or nationality.
To quote René Padilla, Tearfund’s international president, ‘The church’s purpose is to witness to the love and justice revealed in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit, for the transformation of human life.’
Tearfund’s vision is to harness the power that lies within the local church, as a caring, inclusive, servant-hearted and witnessing community, to make everyday miracles happen every day.
Find out more about how we work by clicking here.