word & deed business group

What does it look like to "love mercy" (Micah 6:8) and to "consider the poor?" (Psalm 41:1)
The Word & Deed business group provides a wonderful opportunity to help feed & nourish the poor, both spiritually and physically in countries that are full of poverty and violence.
Local business owners meet together once during the year & throughout Canada there are 13 different business groups that have met for the past three years. So far $1,246,000 has been raised!
 During this time they introduce themselves & tell about the company that they are representing and which church they attend.  Rick, the Word & Deed public relations director, (and also my uncle!) gives an update about the projects that are being supported by Word & Deed.  And believe me - things are happening! It is so exciting to hear about Christian schools being built, sponsorship programs being filled,  girls & boys homes, teaching centres for moms & dads, pastors being trained & provided for, and the list continues to grow.
Rick stresses that we are not there to do the work for the needy but to come alongside the indigenous Christians. As he put it, we are not the foundation because once we leave it will crumble. Rather, Word & Deed considers themselves to be the scaffolding.

Here is a picture of the Niagara Business Group during the afternoon secession. In the evening, many more business owners came to hear about the different projects and specifically the projects that they have sponsored in the past. After the presentation, the group votes for the project that they would like to support. This enables them to watch a project grow and expand, or in some cases near completion, and say "I am part of this." It is wonderful to see the changing impact on their lives and you can thank God for such organizations that help you consider the poor in an effective & Godly manner.
 After voting on a  project(s) the members are anonymously asked to write down the amount of money that they are willing to commit for this cause through out the upcoming year. Our group committed to $77,000 to finish phase 3 of John Calvin Christian School in Columbia. There is also a Girl's Home in Columbia where abused girls (some of them so incredibly young) can take refuge. Our business group wanted to sponsor this girl's home as well.

A lovely lunch was provided by my cousin Jeanette. The Niagara Business Group meets in such a unique location.  Lawrence & Sharon, partners in the business group generously offer their beautiful, hand-crafted barn. The large stone fireplace, rustic beams, and glass windows makes for a relaxed atmosphere.
If you own a business or perhaps represent a business, make the effort to see if there is a group that meets near you. Maybe you don't own a business but would like to help. Sponsor a child(ren) so that they can find hope in the midst of their difficult circumstances and learn about the true Refuge.