Mergon’s Post

Malawians are parking their vehicles in long lines and waiting for days on the off chance that they will be able to purchase rationed fuel. This is having an impact on their entire economy and supply chain.

www.naturalworldfund.com The concept of mangrove or forest waqf remains unfamiliar, even in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. This situation is perplexing and raises several questions. Is this due to a lack of trust in their religious teachings, a fear of developing initiatives outside the mainstream, or perhaps the perception that waqf is only suitable for projects related to the afterlife, such as mosques, religious schools, and public cemeteries? Meanwhile, mangrove or forest waqf is viewed as a worldly endeavor that will not help one attain paradise. This concept is one of the most practical, benefiting all parties and ensuring environmental sustainability for an indefinite period until the end of time. Could it be that this concept is not appealing enough to attract sponsors or donors? Interestingly, in other countries where Muslims are a minority, this concept is being adopted—albeit under a different name—and is recognized as one of the best possible solutions. One such example is the organization www.naturalworldfund.com, which has big plans to help the wildlife of the U.K. by purchasing land and rewilding it. Sometimes, I pray to become as wealthy as the Sheikhs in the Arab world so I can purchase hundreds or even thousands of hectares of land and dedicate it as an eternal mangrove or forest waqf.

Pastor Vincent Imai has been leading a remarkable initiative in Kenya’s rural communities, focusing on the Iteso people who have often been overlooked. His holistic approach to ministry is making an impact in both the spiritual and economic aspects of life: 1. Training Church Leaders: Pastor Imai’s team is addressing the gap in theological education in rural areas by providing training directly to local pastors, equipping them to lead effectively. 2. Economic Empowerment Through Agriculture: In partnership with local farmers, they are teaching sustainable farming practices, particularly around avocados, to tap into Kenya’s growing export market. 3. National Prayer Initiative: With a focus on prayer for unreached communities, Pastor Imai is rallying believers to lift up the Iteso and others, believing that prayer changes hearts and sends workers into the field. With 15 churches planted and 3,000 people brought to Christ since 2020, this initiative is a model of how strategic, faith-based work can bring sustainable transformation. 🌱 Read more about how the church can support holistic community development. #FaithInAction #EconomicEmpowerment #AvocadoFarming #CommunityDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #ChurchGrowth

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:15 Greek five talents … two talents … one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage. In the Bible, talents are a unit of currency and a metaphor for the gifts God gives to people: Unit of currency A talent was worth about 6,000 denarii, which was the usual payment for a day's work. This means that a talent was worth 20 years of labor. Metaphor for giftsTalents can also refer to the gifts God gives to people, which can include skills, abilities, and passions. Some examples of talents include being hospitable, being a good teacher, or being a talented musician. The Parable of the Talents in the Bible illustrates the responsibility of stewards to care for God's kingdom. The parable appears in Matthew 25:14-30 and tells the story of a man who entrusts his wealth to three men, giving each an amount based on his ability. The parable teaches that those who serve well in their stewardship will be given more responsibilities, while those who do not serve well will lose their stewardship. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”” 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ‭‭ Here are some other Bible verses about gifts: Romans 12:6-8: Discusses how to use gifts based on the grace given to us. James 1:17: States that every good thing in our lives comes from God. Matthew 6:1-4: States that God will reward those who give in secret. 2 Corinthians 9:7: States that God loves a cheerful giver. Deuteronomy 16:17: States that each person should bring a gift in proportion to how the Lord has blessed them. Luke 11:13: States that if people know how to give good gifts to their children, then God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: States that if someone has gifts but no love, they are nothing

Doing Good to All 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restorethat person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are somethingwhen they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What do we mean when we call a #church a #sanctuary? Does the term #sanctuary evoke a quiet space of personal spiritual reflection, or is it a physical community offering sanctuary from violence and hunger? Can it be both? As the international community urgently responds to yet another humanitarian crisis in Haiti, and as INGOs strive to demonstrate their relevance in their first-response efforts, it's crucial to recognize that Haitian CSOs and church leaders are already on the ground, providing immediate assistance. The photos above are from local #Wesleyan churches in southern #Haiti accommodating families fleeing Haiti's gang violence in Port-au-Prince—a very literal church sanctuary. " Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. " Saint James, the brother of Jesus. What does it mean to be relevant in a humanitarian crisis—pallets on a plane or a pastor in the parish? At World Hope International, the answer is usually both. But we know the frontline and first response are local—already present and relevant. Stand with World Hope in supporting the local church initiatives that are the backbone of the sanctuary movement, providing a haven for those affected by violence in Haiti.  https://lnkd.in/e-7yRaCG P.S. Does anyone remember the "Sanctuary Movement" within the North American church in the 1980s? 

As long as the Earth exists, seedtime and harvest time shall cease not... The principal of giving is what motivates GOD to bestow more blessings to us like as it rains on the seeds and they pluck out in numerous numbers. Sowing is in various ways of doing which are all enabled by our Faith of actions remember a Faith without actions is a dead one. When our cups are full we need to pour out so as we get replenished. Let us now sow generously in righteousness in any way that we can ie. Extending a hand to the orphans, widows who are verily vulnerable to thrive a future livelihood. When we sow generous giving automatically we shall generously reap a generous giving unto us. What we sow is what we reap... Galatians 6:7

As long as the Earth exists, seedtime and harvest time shall cease not... The principal of giving is what motivates GOD to bestow more blessings to us like as it rains on the seeds and they pluck out in numerous numbers. Sowing is in various ways of doing which are all enabled by our Faith of actions remember a Faith without actions is a dead one. When our cups are full we need to pour out so as we get replenished. Let us now sow generously in righteousness in any way that we can ie. Extending a hand to the orphans, widows who are verily vulnerable to thrive a future livelihood. When we sow generous giving automatically we shall generously reap a generous giving unto us. What we sow is what we reap... Galatians 6:7

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA IS COLLAPSING New numbers for the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) are out, and they show that Canada is the first major province of the Anglican Communion to have collapsed, reports The Living Church. This is highly significant, both for Canada and for other Western provinces following its trajectory. Here are the data for average Sunday attendance: 2001 162,000 2017 87,000 2022 65,000 These are truly remarkable numbers. A church already in steep decline saw that decline speed up during COVID. Attendance in 2022 was 40 percent of attendance in 2001. And between 2017 and 2022, the ACoC lost a quarter of its Sunday attendance. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE: https://lnkd.in/eyYEi9ZZ