Torch, Fall/Winter 2010

22 TORCH | Fall–Winter 2010 ABBYTRANTINA | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY my work: “Never assume you cannot be tomorrow where those living in poverty are today. Poverty can happen.” And it can happen to you. The Solution So how are we, as Christians, to respond to poverty? Our actions toward those in need reflect our love for Christ (Matt. 25:34–46), and we are clearly commanded to treat others as we would treat Him. James 1:27 tells us: “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” The author goes on to warn against favoritism, instructing us to show honor to the poor. The historical roots of providing for the poor began with the first church of Acts 2 and have branched out ever since, carried on by people of faith. These groups had one goal: family preservation. Leaders of the early social work movement used this idea as an incentive to encourage churches to participate. People like Jane Addams, considered the mother of modern social work, urged congregations to reach out to their neighbors by working toward the preservation of the family unit. It is this focus that we need to reclaim. But how? First, we need to return to Scripture by focusing on the Great Commandment (love God and love your neighbor) and the Great Commission (go and make disciples). Incorporating these instructions from the Lord can be powerful in meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of those living in poverty. When I lived in Philadelphia, my church decided to put legs to the commandment to take care of the poor, widowed, and orphaned. What we did turned into significant events that would shape who I am as a Christian social worker. The ministry began in Love Park, where we set up a homeless outreach. As I served food and ministered to the women at a local shelter, I discovered there are many faces of poverty. Some grow up in abusive homes; others develop severe mental illness. Some were professors with Ph.D.s whose life circumstances disabled them from coping in a healthy manner. This brought home to me the fact that it could happen to anyone, regardless of race, gender, or profession. If I can communicate this truth to my students, and they can take that into their churches and communities, I know we can make a difference. As part of a course assignment last year, one of my students approached her pastor about what their church could do to help the poor. He was familiar with this assignment as, each year, a student had asked him about the church’s response to poverty. He had prepared answers. But this time, one question in particular stuck with him: “How is your church reaching out to the poor in the community around you?” The more he thought about it, the more he realized they could — and should — do more. He decided the church needed to be known in their community as a place where people could come for help, a place that met their physical and spiritual needs. As a result, the church began developing a free health clinic. The pastor told my student he never knew something could