Leading boldly in a shifting culture: part three

This is the final part of Allison’s three-part series. You can read part one and part two here.

The tensions are clear, and so is the calling. Having named the realities facing the Church and explored the framework for faithful witness, we now turn to how this witness takes shape in the everyday lives of those seeking lasting transformation.

World Vision has a holistic, biblical framework for bearing witness to Christ through life, word, deed and sign, to help equip the Church to pursue lasting transformation in their local communities and the world.

We show up, we stay, we love well, and we create space as we have been called to do.

We believe that people in need can begin to move beyond poverty and their current circumstances by gaining the hope to look ahead and move forward. That hope begins with recognizing they are created in God’s image, that He is with them, and that He calls them ‘beloved’. It’s strengthened by the promise that one day there will be no more crying or death or mourning or pain.

Where there is numbness, we offer wholeness by bearing witness in action. As we move from knowing to doing in tangible ways, we help others experience life in all its fullness. And for those of us who walk alongside them, this work shapes us into the likeness of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.

Where there is despair, we offer hope by bearing witness. We pray boldly, we celebrate what God is doing, we point to His work, and we follow where He leads.

We’re working toward a world where a child feels safe enough to fall asleep, wakes up from a decent night’s rest, can put food in their belly in the morning, walk a reasonable distance to school without fear of their life or violence or sexual attack and where they learn without limits.

A life in all its fullness.

Achieving this doesn’t have to be complicated – we simply need to live a life that embodies Christ - to bring words that speak truth and hope when they’re needed, to freely offer deeds that show the love and compassion of God in simple, everyday ways. We can choose to be part of a movement to give people a reason to hope and take another step forward.

This is where the series leads us: from recognizing the tensions around us, to embracing a framework for faithful witness, to living that witness in ways that helps others encounter the love of God.

In a shifting culture, the Church still has a clear calling and a powerful opportunity to shine the hope of the Gospel.

World Vision stands alongside churches as they connect Canadians to Christ, supporting the spiritual health of their congregations through a wide range of programs and initiatives with one core goal: shining Jesus’ love in the darkest places.

Join us in living a faith that is present, practical and hopeful. Join us in bearing witness to Christ in life, word, deed and sign, so that more people may experience life in all its fullness.

This is a three-part series, you can read part one and part two here.