The Harvest Church in Fombe, Malawi - living out integral mission. Photo: Marcus Perkins/Tearfund
The local church loving the whole person: integral mission
Integral mission is the church living out its faith in Jesus in every aspect of life. It’s recognising that people are more than their hunger or despair. They’re complex and precious, made in God’s image. And they’re loved. Integral mission is answering God’s call to love one another, completely.
At Tearfund, integral mission is how we operate. People need material things to survive, and we choose to work through church-based partners who help people access these things. But our partners won’t stop there.
Local churches know the needs of their communities, and have the potential to change lives – bringing new perspectives, helping heal emotional scars, offering hope and togetherness. This is, in our experience, the most powerful and effective way to help people make lasting changes in their lives and escape poverty.
The Bible says God needs us to be salt and light (Matthew 5), loving our neighbour (Luke 10:27) and bringing about his justice and mercy (Micah 6:8). These things are central to the church’s purpose, and this is why we believe the church is such a vital agent of change.
When we act on issues of poverty – praying, giving or campaigning – we’re answering God’s call to live out our faith. We’re shouting about it from the rooftops and writing it in the sand. Engraving it on our hearts, and on those of others. Our faith becomes something seen and felt, globally. We’re 'loving our neighbour' Jesus’ way – whether they live next-door, or thousands of miles away.
God’s love is for everyone. And so Tearfund’s work through local churches is for everyone. Aid should never be used to further political or religious standpoints. This is crucial to us, because it’s the kind of ‘development work’ the Bible describes. It's unconditional love.
Find out more about how we work by clicking here.