Introduction
Micah Challenge UK is a coalition of Christian organisations and churches in Britain, united in their concern to fight global poverty.
It is part of the international Micah Challenge movement of churches and Christian agencies uniting to hold their governments to account for the promises they made towards the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.
Around the world Micah Challenge seeks to ignite and fuel a global movement of Christians from the South and the North - Christians who are united in seeking dramatic reductions in poverty, and in speaking out against its injustices with a single, formidable voice. We intend this to be a movement that is truly inclusive, engaging Christians of contrasting denominations in a way that stays true to a clear, shared Christian identity.
What is Micah Challenge?
The challenge at the heart of the movement is 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 Challenge calls us to ensure justice is done, to embrace mercy in our hearts, to be obedient to our Lord.
Micah Challenge seeks transformational change in society, through the active involvement of the church with the poor and against the injustices of poverty. It seeks to sensitise and engage Christians into greater political and practical involvement with the issues relating to poverty by highlighting biblical truths which prompt a compassion of heart. It will also enable Christians to pray, take action, speak out and engage with the issues surrounding poverty, here in the UK as well as overseas.
Part of a Global Movement?
Micah Challenge UK is as part of the international Micah Challenge movement of churches and Christian agencies uniting to hold their governments to account for the promises they made towards the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.
Already, 32 countries have united behind the Micah Challenge and 13 more countries are due to launch their own national campaigns in the course of 2007.
Our Work
Building on the momentum of the Make Poverty History campaign, Micah Challenge is calling on the Government to keep its promises to the poor, and on the church to stand in solidarity with the poor. As Christians, we are called to pray, take action and speak out on the injustices of poverty.
Although some progress has been made, the situation in many areas is worse than before and we have a long way to go to turn this tide around. Between now and 2015 Micah Challenge UK will run a series of actions (or Micah Challenges) to keep the spotlight on the efforts of our Government as it contributes to the delivery of the MDGs by 2015.
'Blow the Whistle' campaign
2007 marks the half-way point and it’s time to Blow the Whistle to ensure, firstly, that our Government and others the world over honour their promises, and, secondly, that the UK Government actively encourages other global leaders to affect change in their own countries.
In the UK, the Blow the Whistle campaign will focus on five key areas - AIDS treatment, water and sanitation, climate chaos, trade justice and primary education - as it calls on our Government and the international community to look at the half-time scores so that extreme poverty and hunger for the world’s poor really are halved by 2015.
Who is it open to?
The Micah Challenge UK is aiming to involve a broad range of churches, Christian community development organisations and other Christian organisations. We aim to foster unity around the issue of tackling poverty and injustice and demonstrate a spirit of inclusiveness.
For any individual, church or organisation, the Micah Call and our core values are the most relevant factors in participation in the Micah Challenge UK. We want to welcome all to our movement who support these values.
