5 . Trust is built with the government and wider community
In South East Asia , many community development organisations either do not receive government registration or their registration is rescinded after a short period of time . Our community development and creation care organisation is committed to operating professionally and with integrity . As a result , the government is pleased with the programs we are running in these communities .
Government officials are now requesting that we not only provide programs for children , but for adults as well . Other communities are approaching us and asking if we could open Reading Gardens in their community . Recently some high-level workers in the social welfare department began to open up to our team members about other community needs such as addressing the high divorce rate , domestic violence and sexual abuse . We are being invited to provide assistance in these areas as well . What a wonderful opportunity to join with God in His mending work !
Making Jesus meetable
As we humbly endeavour to become alongsiders in communities , we are seeking to make Jesus meetable for our friends and neighbours . The people in these communities have grown up in an Islamic context and know little about who Jesus is and why He came to Earth .
Being present in the community allows us to build relationships with people and to show them we care . It gives us a context for living out the values of God ’ s Kingdom in ways that people hear , see and experience as we connect together .
RESONATE ISSUE 42 | PAGE 16