Join thousands of others in learning the best ways to serve their community for Jesus! The Christian Community Development Association National Conference will be in Indianapolis this October 12-16. Be there. Sign up this April.

If we look at poverty head on -face to face- it can be completely overwhelming. In fact, it should be overwhelming.

But our God commands us not to be overwhelmed, but to call upon His name. Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." If you see injustice, confront it. Uphold the orphan and the widow. Be the voice for the voiceless, the strength for those who are weak. (See Exodus 23:6, Psalm 140:12, Proverbs 29:7)

Still overwhelmed? Don't be. Philippians 4:13 tells us that through Christ, we can do all things -and not through our own strength, but through His. When we make it about us, we will always fall short. But when we make it about our perfect, powerful Savior, we cannot lose. We may feel broken and discouraged by our experience, but we will not have failed if we have truly put our faith in Him and allowed ourselves to be used as His vessel.

By the world's standards, we may look like fools when we give our time and our hearts to those in need. To God, this is a sign of our love for Him! 1 John 3:16 says that "this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

If you are ready to lay down your life on behalf of the hurting of this world, I assure you, there are unending opportunities to do so. Not sure where to start? Contact the Hope office. We are more than happy to serve along side you in your community.

Hope Spotlight: Asset-Driven Development of Chattanooga

ADDC assists Christian ministries, churches, and community organizations in the North Georgia and Chattanooga region to create their own IDA programs. ADDC is a program of the Chalmers Center, created in order to encourage churches to use IDA programs that they might better serve the poor in their communities.

What are IDAs?

IDAs directly target the economically poor in a manner that is specifically designed to empower (and equip!) them for success. The savings of an individual participant is matched by a church or organization at a predetermined ratio. These funds are used to purchase an asset of the individuals choosing, including education, a home, or car. This process of saving is accompanied by financial literacy courses, counseling, and mentoring.

Click here to see an example of how one organization has utilized the IDA model.

The end goal for IDAs through ADDC is not just the attainment of the asset, but relationships, becoming a part of a church community, and knowing Jesus Christ!

If your church or organization would like to participate, contact Jerilyn Sanders at the Chalmers Center at jerilyn.sanders@chalmers.org

For more info, see the following links:

Chalmers Center Goes Local

Jerilyn Sanders at ADDC

Racial Reconciliation... and Jobs for Life

Sound too good to be true? ...but it is! Enjoy pancakes and fellowship as you listen to David Spickard, President of Jobs for Life, speak February 26 at Hope for the Inner City.

TICKETS: $15 per person, or $150 for table seating 10
REGISTER: Online with a credit card at www.Hope4theInnercity.org/breakfast
or by mail with a check to Hope for the Inner City, P.O. Box 11584, Chattanooga, TN 37401
QUESTIONS? (423) 698-3178, x104 or despey@hope4theinnercity.org

Saturday, February 26, 2011 ● 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Hope for the Inner City, 1800 Roanoke Ave.

RACIAL RECONCILIATION PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Keynote Speaker David Spickard, CEO, Jobs for Life

Eat delicious food with family fellowship.
Celebrate unity in Jesus Christ across racial lines.
Pray for those seeking employment in troubled times.
Support Hope for the Inner City's job-readiness program for inner-city residents.

The Doctor Is Always In.

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus

(Matthew 9:12-13)

Sometimes, in trying to help those who are financially poor, it is easy to lose sight of this little thing called our own sin. In the effort to help people effectively, salving wounds and rescuing bodies from the wreckage, it is all too easy to forget that we ourselves need rescuing. Our savor desires mercy from those who love Him- mercy that is full of compassion and empathy. This mercy should say 'hey, I have been there.' and not, 'Look at what you have done!' This mercy should be chock-full of abundant grace that says 'I gladly give to you, without plans for your IOU, even though you have done nothing to deserve this- and may never do anything. I give, because I myself have received.'

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice when he gave up his physical body... but this sacrifice came from a love we cannot comprehend! His love called out to us sinners, advertising 'free medicine for those who ask!' and promising a life full of chances to do the same for others.

There will be times when we will be completely frustrated with someone to whom we are trying to minister. We may think, 'Why is he not getting this?' ...but are we not really saying 'Why can't he be more like me!'?

Let's all make this our goal:

More like Jesus, less like myself.

Hope Welcomes...

Hope for Northwest Georgia is proud to welcome Rock Creek Fellowship as our newest Hope Partner Church!
Rock Creek is located in Rising Fawn, Georgia and is situated atop Lookout Mountain. The view from the church is quite beautiful. ...if you don't believe me, you should definitely check it out for yourself!

CCDA in Chattanooga

The Christian Community Development Association regional conference is being held in Chattanooga this May 20-21! The theme is Building Bridges...Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry, Hurting People. Interested in volunteering? Contact the Hope office. More information to come!