“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:37-40
Jesus’ call to care for the poor resonates deeply with most Christians. The causes are many and the solutions are complex, but one way to show your support of the people impacted by poverty is to participate in the June 20 march in Washington, DC organized by the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
The campaign organizers have worked hard to make sure the voices of people impacted by poverty are heard. According to a Sept. 10, 2019 report by National Public Radio, “[T]he Census Bureau found that 38.1 million people in 2018 were poor. This was 1.4 million fewer poor people than in 2017, but about one in eight Americans still lived below the poverty line — $25,465 for a family with two adults and two children.” This does not take into account those who are low-income ($50,000 for that same family of four). You likely know many people who are struggling whether it be from wage stagnation, high housing costs or medical bills. The Poor People’s Campaign offers state-by-state fact sheets.
As the date for the march grows nearer, regional and general ministry groups are beginning to make plans to have a significant Disciples presence at the march. Carpools are being organized, as well as some folks planning to travel with state PPC organizers. To see what arrangements have been made or to add your own plans, go to this Google doc.
At the 2017 General Assembly, those present adopted a resolution (GA-1740) in support of the Poor People’s Campaign, calling Disciples to speak up with the poor. Ministries across all expressions of the Church have responded over the past two and a half years, with congregations showing up at state rallies and regions sharing information. General ministry staff and General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens have participated in campaign events across the United States.