Prime Minister back aims of Micah Challenge on issues of global poverty
Tony Blair has publicly pledged his “complete support” for Micah Challenge’s aims to alleviate global poverty, thanks to the determination of one Baptist church inspired by the Blow the Whistle campaign.
The congregation of Gilgal Baptist Church in Porthcrawl, Wales blew whistles down the telephone during a call to the office of their MP, Madeleine Moon, during a Blow the Whistle Sunday service on 20 May.
Blow the Whistle is an anti poverty campaign launched by the Micah Challenge coalition of churches and Christian organisations.
The church’s call triggered this question from Ms Moon, Labour MP for Bridgend, during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday, 23 May: “At 10.42 on Sunday morning, my office answer phone picked up a message from the congregation of Gilgal Baptist Church during their morning service.
“They asked me to bring a message to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor that they should continue to force through the standards and changes in the Millennium Development Goals. What answer can I take to them?”
Mr Blair’s reply was: “one of complete support.”
Micah Challenge focuses on the Millennium Development Goals to halve extreme poverty by 2015 – agreed by world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000.
The half way point for meeting those goals is 2007. Christians are being urged to Blow the Whistle at half time to ensure governments honour those promises.
Exactly halfway through its Sunday morning service, Gilgal Baptist Church pastor, The Rev Ashley Lovett called the MP’s office and said: “Hi Madeleine, this is the Rev Ashley Lovett and the congregation of Gilgal Baptist Church in Porthcawl.
“We’re leaving this message because we want to remind you that we are now half way to the deadline set for the Millennium Development Goals. We believe these goals are really important and we’d like you to tell the Prime Minister and the Chancellor that we are asking them to do everything they can to deliver on the promises they have made for the sake of the world’s poorest people. We’re going to end this message by doing what is usually done in sport when you get to half time. Thank you for your help.” The congregation then blew their whistles before The Rev Lovett put the phone down.
Mr Lovett said he was amazed Ms Moon had asked the question. He said: “For Tony Blair to say his response was one of complete support was very positive but I am more impressed with Ms Moon for asking the question.”
Andrew Tanswell, Micah Challenge Executive Director, said: “It is hugely encouraging to know that Christians across our nation want to speak out and take action and hold our Government to account to honour the promises we made to the world’s poorest people to halve poverty by 2015.
“It is also tremendously encouraging to know that Christians are being inspired to speak into our democratic political systems to influence change. This week, the actions of one church led to a question being asked of the Prime Minister, to which he responded by giving his support. Can you imagine the impact that Christians around the UK would have if every church contacted their MP every Sunday about the injustice of global poverty?”
Ends
Media enquiries:
Jo Duckles
Micah Challenge Press Officer
0207 72072102/07789768040
The Rev Ashley Lovett
01656 772068
Notes to Editors:
- Micah Challenge was founded in 2004 and is a worldwide movement of Christians, churches, church organisations and key individuals across 32 countries, with 13 more national campaigns to launch throughout 2007, to make sure that the MDGs are implemented.
- Micah Challenge is named after the Old Testament prophet Micah, Chapter 6, verse 8:
'…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God....' - Core members working within the Micah Challenge UK include: African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), Alpha International / Holy Trinity Brompton, BMS World Mission, Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Today, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Global Connections, New Frontiers International, Oasis, Shaftesbury Society, SPEAK, Tearfund, World Vision UK.
- The next Micah Challenge event will be a service at Central Methodist Hall, Westminster, with Tim Hughes leading worship, on Saturday, 2 June at 11.30am The event will be held before the bigger World Can’t Wait rally in central London.
- For a full transcript of the Prime Minister’s comments on Millennium Development Goals on Wednesday, 23 May, visit http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/02.htm#hddr_1.
- For more information about Micah Challenge visit www.micahchallenge.org.uk
