World Vision believes that, as Christians, we must bear witness to Jesus Christ through word, deed, sign and life – the whole ministry of the Gospel. It is not just about what we think, or what we believe, or what we say. It is also about what we do.

As the book of James says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

The New Testament shows us that Christian discipleship takes place through doing. It is about Jesus saying, “Come and follow me” and his followers learning from Him on the road, living out their faith.

Jenipher, from Zambia, carries water back to her home from a nearby spring.

Helping our neighbour is at the heart of Christianity. In recent years, the Church has recognised that we are all part of a global village where everyone in need is our neighbour, and we must act to give them the opportunity of life in its fullness.

If the Christian Church worldwide does not rise up and declare that poverty is a spiritual issue; an issue that causes God’s heart to be broken, then poverty will never be beaten.

We encourage you to rise to the challenge to follow Jesus, put your faith in action and do something to help your neighbours in need.

This field, which is part of a World Vision food security project in Zambia, is yielding healthy crops of tomatoes, onions and cabbages.

World Vision offers a series of tools to help you act out your faith:

• Locally, your church can sign up with KIDS HOPE AUS., where the power of one-to-one mentoring can change the lives of children at risk.
• Nationally, you and your church can join campaigns such as the Micah Challenge that works to change government policies, challenge unjust structures and address corruption.
• Poverty is a spiritual issue. Download these prayer resources and commit to praying for the work of World Vision worldwide that strives to bring an end to the needless suffering caused by poverty.