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Tag: Church and Community Mobilisation

Have You Ever Died?

Written by Rev. Sameul Leung (Senior Pastor, Ma On Shan Ling Liang Church) Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4 Believers should all say they have ‘died’, because we are united with Christ in His death and burial. When reading these scriptures, Christians emphasise being united with Christ’s death and resurrection but often overlook the word ‘buried’. By focusing on burial, it reinforces the fact of death and highlights that

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‘SHARE’ 249 – An Experience Connecting with the Impoverished – Barefoot Walk

Businesses have returned to normalcy after the epidemic, and CEDAR Fund’s ministries, too, that our colleagues can revisit overseas partners and beneficiaries. Yet, our partners from different countries expressed the same that human trafficking is severe and it needs more resources to combat. Therefore, the CEDAR Barefoot Walk 2023 is coming back this November with the title ‘Remove Price Tag, Free Body & Soul’ to encourage participants to raise funds for anti-human trafficking work by walking barefoot. In this issue’s ‘Focus’, three Barefoot Walk participants shared how the Walk connected them with people experiencing poverty. The authors of ‘Back to the Bible’ and ‘Taking Action’ led us to reflect on the importance of tasting the impoverished’s situation through

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Works with local churches to fulfil ‘Integral Mission’ and witness the Lord’s grace

Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) In the process of promoting overseas poverty alleviation and development work and fulfilling Integral Mission, CEDAR’s staff are often inspired by the testimonies of lives being transformed. We hope that in our home of Hong Kong, we can also work with local churches to practice Integral Mission and experience the grace of the Lord.  Since last November, CEDAR Fund has commenced an eight-month programme, ‘CEDAR Course’, to promote Integral Mission locally. Through the programme, we hope local churches are given support and the resources to serve the community in greater depth.   Pastors and church leaders who enrolled on the programme to gain some knowledge about ‘Integral Mission: church fulfilment and

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Children’s Learning Space in Myanmar

Project Name Children’s Learning Space in Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Children and Youth Development Church and Community Mobilisation Project Objectives Fill the education gap in Myanmar, especially for underprivileged children and dropouts. Arouse awareness of child protection among poor communities. Beneficiaries Children and orphans in slums and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps No. of Beneficiaries 460 Key Activities Informal education: 4 days a week (teaching English and Burmese, mathematics, social behaviours, character building, child protection information sharing, arts & crafts) Provide basic stationaries, books, and snacks Teacher training and meetings (with church partnership: human resources and venue) Bible teaching (Sunday School) in some learning spaces Trauma counselling for the children in need Project Period Jan 2024

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Karongi Church Empowerment Zone

Project Name Karongi Church Empowerment Zone Project Location Rwanda Project Natures Church and Community Mobilisation Livelihood Development Project Objectives Through training and other means, build up local churches to bear united witness in their communities, serving the vulnerable groups in their areas and fulfilling Integral Mission. Beneficiaries Local church leaders and vulnerable groups (including malnourished children and impoverished farmers). No. of Beneficiaries 10,362 Key Activities Church Mobilisation: Provide comprehensive training to local churches and enhance the functions of the Church Network Committee, enabling Integral Mission to be practised in various communities. Economic Development: Establish savings groups and offer financial management training to participants. Strengthening Family Function: Conduct Bible-based family group training, fostering healthy families by building strong marital

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Ride Out the Storm to Carry the Holistic Mission forward

Writer: Ness Ma (Communications officer) When churches start new projects, they often face many challenges regarding resources, manpower, and knowledge, which can be inevitably overwhelming. C&MA Living Stones Church (hereinafter referred to as Living Stones Church) encountered the same when establishing Queen’s Hill Service Station. Over the past year, CEDAR has worked with Living Stones Church to share experiences, and provide mentorship and financial support so that the service station could work well. In an interview earlier, they summarised the unforgettable experience and outcomes. Living Stones Church shared that initially, not all the church members agreed on opening a new service centre. The argument is based on a lack of manpower, insufficient funds and resources. Moreover, they are

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Thriving communities through women’s economic empowerment, improved climate resilient livelihoods and the engagement of Civil Society Organisations in Ethiopia

Project Name Thriving communities through women’s economic empowerment, improved climate resilient livelihoods and the engagement of Civil Society Organisations in Ethiopia Project Location Ethiopia Project Natures Church and Community Mobilisation Livelihood Development Project Objectives Mobilise and enhance the outreach capacity of local churches to encourage believers to care for their neighbours and support vulnerable families in the community. Promote the adoption of conservation farming practices among local smallholder farming families, enabling sustainable agriculture and improving household food security. This will also help enhance their resilience in the face of natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. Beneficiaries Small farmers from impoverished families and local churches. No. of Beneficiaries Approx. 1,700 households and 12 churches. Key Activities Train

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Advocacy for Thailand Karen Minority Rights (Year 1 of Year 3)

Project Name Advocacy for Thailand Karen Minority Rights (Year 1 of Year 3) Project Location Thailand Project Natures Church and Community Mobilisation Creation Care Project Objectives Protect the rights of local people and communities by developing and strengthening the Karen Network for Human Rights (KNHR). Beneficiaries 36 leaders from the Thailand Karen Baptist Convention (TKBC) 900 KNHR members 11,123 community leaders No. of Beneficiaries 12,059 Key Activities Environmental awareness training: field visits and training related to environmental protection. Forums: organise small group discussions on Karen community rights. Leadership training on building peace and the role of churches. Collecting data on land management and usage. Project Period July 2023 to Jun 2026 Expenses Approx. HK$622,520 Donate Now PARTNER INFORMATION

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Thai-Myanmar Border Development

Project Name Thai-Myanmar Border Development   Project Location Thailand Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Church and Community Mobilisation Project Objectives Facilitate the learning process of the Lahu community in anti-human trafficking, anti-drug abuse, health and hygiene, and livelihood development. Promote the physical and mental health of the Lahu community and build a healthy living environment for them (providing water and waste management, reducing chemical use, improving food security, protecting the natural environment, and eliminating drug addiction and domestic violence). Help the Lahu people understand their situation, protect themselves from becoming victims of human trafficking and enable the younger generation to enjoy their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Promote Lahu’s strong faith

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Integral Development & Empowerment for Action (IDEA) in Rukum East

Project Name Integral Development & Empowerment for Action (IDEA) in Rukum East Project Location Nepal Project Natures Church and Community Mobilisation Project Objectives Equip local churches to collaborate in fulfilling Integral Mission, bringing renewal and transformation to communities through active implementation of plans and initiatives. Beneficiaries Nepali church believers Pastors Community youth No. of Beneficiaries Approx. 930 Key Activities Organise training sessions, workshops, exchange visits, and experience-sharing activities to introduce the basic missionary principles of Integral Mission to 42 local churches. Cultivate 34 facilitators to guide 18 churches in discovering their own gifts, utilising local resources, and applying the missionary principles of holistic mission to effectively respond to community needs through practical actions. Equip 20 young believers to

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