Title: World Vision/Taiwan Promotes "Fountain of Courage" Sunday for the World's Hungry
Taiwan Church News 2835, 26 June - 2 July 2006
Reported by Gu Hao-jan. Written by David Alexander
Out of concern for poor children around the world, Christians and churches should engage in prayer and support. World Vision/Taiwan (WV/T) is promoting "Loving Fountain of Courage," a campaign which calls churches between July 23 and August 30 to designate one 24-hour period as "Loving Fountain of Courage Sunday" or "Loving Fountain of Courage Day." The intent is to focus attention on the local families in crisis and on hungry children around the world and to raise funds for service to them. The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) has approved August 20th as the day to recognize and support this campaign denomination-wide.
At a press conference held on 21st June, WV/T General Secretary Dwu Ming-han explained the concern of his organization for the victims of famine, war, HIV/AIDS and natural disasters. He opined that whatever his agency does which does not include the unified support of churches is limited. Without churches' concerted support in prayer and material, much will be lost. "WV/T needs church support to bring significant life education into the neighborhoods."
The Loving Fountain of Courage campaign takes its name from Isaiah 41:17-18, picking up on the image of pools in the desert and fountains in a weary land. It is aimed at bringing together the spiritual power of many people for the sake of showing the love of God. Holding a campaign in addition to its widely known 30 hour famine raises the profile of WV/T and becomes an additional vehicle for spreading the good news and bringing blessing to people. The famine campaign is a testimony of God's love for the poor and suffering, and of the blessing that can come when people work together.
Mr. Dwu calls on churches, gospel agencies and Christians nation-wide to respond to God's grace and mercy by selecting a day between now and August 30th for joint prayer activities on behalf of the poor. Fasting and prayer meetings might be especially applicable.
PCT Associate General Secretary Hsu Sing-doh added his voice to the call for prayer, and said that it would be blended into the already-scheduled special offering day for church & society ministry on August 20. For its part, WV/T noted that the 17th year of the 30 hour famine program had involved 100,000 people and had raised 100 million Taiwan Yuan for rescue and relief projects in Taiwan and 17 countries overseas.
For more information: www.worldvision.org.tw
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