Most Christians come to faith through hearing the Word of God. It is the Word spoken that so regularly and radically changes and reforms lives.

Understanding the power of the spoken Word, Christians have a particular responsibility to speak out about poverty and injustice. These were the issues that most concerned the prophets and Jesus and they are mentioned in more than 2,000 Bible verses.

The Church plays a very unique and important role in the world to proclaim the Good News and speak the truth in places of power. The Church is the only institution in society that is truly independent from the forces of popular thinking and economics.

It is the Church, standing on the solid foundation of the Word of God, that needs to be fearless in speaking out for the voiceless.

The Challenge

World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello appeals to the crowd at the Boxing Day Test Match in 2005 to support the Asian Tsunami relief effort.

Take up the challenge to speak out in the tradition of Isaiah, Amos, Micah and Jesus, and in the tradition of Christians who understood God’s heart for the poor and oppressed - William Wilberforce, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. These people realised that speaking out was a consequence of their faith in God. We hope you realise this too.

What each person can do

You can play your part in restoring justice by simply speaking to others:

• Speak to your friends about the issues.
• Invite a World Vision representative to come and speak at your church.
• Encourage your church to action its faith.
• Call talkback radio programs and raise the issues on air.
• Talk to your local MP about the Australian Government’s overseas aid and development policies.

Add your voice to others working with World Vision to change the world.