VERBO REPORTText Box: Winter 2004 Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you; full measure, pressed down…” Text Box: Youth Seek To Change Society Text Box: Solutions South of the Border Text Box: Did you know that thousands more Latin Americans are entering the United States daily now than before 9/11, despite the reputed border tightening? The reason is sheer necessity, and statistics tell part of the story. For example, 20 percent of the Guatemalan population is between 15 and 24 years of age, and 31 percent of them are functionally illiterate. They have little prospects for jobs or for freedom from endemic violence and instability. The situation is somewhat similar in Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and many other poor countries in Latin America and the Caribbean Verbo Promotes Social Change Not only that, in most of these nations at least half the population is under 22. With their poor education and the minimal job prospects in depressed agricultural economies, picking fruits or vegetables or working as construction peons in the USA is better than barely surviving at home. The solution to the illegal immigration problem isn’t tighter restrictions and expensive, repressive policing, but helping promote a climate that makes people want to stay in their countries of origin. Since 1976 Verbo Ministries has been providing spiritual and material changes through the application of biblical principles that address and transform poverty, political instability and social inequities. Today, our ministers and social workers are training new generations to walk in Christian spiritual integrity at the same time as they become a relevant force in their communities and nations. We discovered that the traditional message that teaches that all Christians have to do is evangelize people and teach them to be separate from the “world” unfortunately is not going to change societies. Teens Join the Work Jesus told us that although we are no longer of this world system, we are in it as salt and light. Our task is to do his will as he taught us, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” With that understanding we are forming both small youth discipleship groups and larger councils comprised of young leaders from Verbo congregations in various countries. In the former groups teens and young adults learn to apply the realiText Box: HOLY UNTO THE LORD—The basis for all beneficial lasting changes in society have to do with doing God’s will. Verbo’s youthful leaders are learning to put God and his will in first place as the key to effectively influencing their world for good.

 

An  Apt  Word About Giving

To the Needy 

 

   Verbo Ministries is a family of churches that believes and practices worldwide evangelism, the functional unity of the Body of Christ, and the personal holiness of its members.

     We have founded churches in 14 nations and are dedicated to preaching the Gospel and to training men and women in Christian discipleship.

     We take to heart the statement in the Epistle of James 2:17, “Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!” For this reason we have established grade and high schools, health clinics, food distribution, vocational training, and other programs for the poor.

     We also participate in emergency relief efforts and in long-term disaster reconstruction endeavours. Contributions are tax deductible.

     For more information or to make a donation today, please contact us directly or visit our website:

Verbo Ministries

 P.O. Box 190

Kenner, LA  70063-0190

Tel/msg: (504) 466-0095   Fax: (504) 466-0144

Website: www.verbo.org

Email: missions@verbo.org

 

TEAMMATES—Young Verbo leaders in Central America are preparing to impact their cultures by taking aggressive Christian stances in all areas of human endeavor from the arts to government.