Ministry: Social and Community Ministry
This is the poorest, least developed area of Burkina, on the edge of the desert, a region that suffers regular droughts, with low literacy, and low life expectancy. There is huge need, and while the gospel message is central, we cannot neglect the social, economic, and political dimensions of the kingdom of God that calls us to care for the whole person within their context.
I therefore seek to take a holistic approach - not just preaching while ignoring the physical need, but trying to relate as Christ did to the whole person - physical, emotional, social, spiritual. A local Christian agency is now forming that could be a key partner for the development and management of these schemes working alongside local churches.
Responding to need
At one level, we have been trying to respond to the immediate suffering and lack
of basic needs that people face. Working together with locals,
we have helped out with emergency food in times of famine, supported orphans
through school, supported a scheme to help TB sufferers get treatment,
and helped any number of individuals and families in times of personal need.
Following the floods in Gorom-Gorom in 2006, which destroyed half the town and
left about 6000 people homeless, I worked closely with the local churches in a concerted response.
With financial help from churches in the west, we became the main agency helping people with food aid,
