wfn.org | ABCUSA: Children in Poverty Presentation Available from NM

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 8/23/05)--At the
semiannual meeting of the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA
in June, National Ministries' Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III made a presentation urging the Board to adopt "A
Declaration of Importance for American Baptists on the Issue of Children
in Poverty." To obtain a copy of the presentation in the mail or
electronically by e-mail contact Sue Peterman, program administrative
assistant, at 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2422 or susan.peterman@abc-usa.org.

In his presentation Wright-Riggins cited 2003 U.S. Census Bureau
statistics indicating that more than one in six American children - 12.9
million - were poor by U.S. government standards. He said Jesus'
statement that "you will always have the poor among you" (Matthew 26:11)
means that people will "always find Christians near enough to the poor
to reach out with caring ministries." The declaration, adopted
unanimously by the General Board, calls upon American Baptist churches
and mission partners "to make the issue of children in poverty a
priority of prayer advocacy, ministry and stewardship."

K/2005ABNS/05ABN88