Dignity and Hope

​The presentation was interesting enough on its own merits, but I sat up and took notice of one particular statement. I was participating in a think tank gathered for the purpose of considering how best to move forward with development among refugee communities in light of past experience and predicted future trends. Our presenter reminded us of the minimum guidelines and accountability outlined and described in “The Sphere Project”, then moved on to consider specific humanitarian contexts. He provided personal examples, including his involvement in responding to the Syrian Refugee crisis. It was the moment he shared their vision statement from that response that gripped me and continues to hold my imagination captive. According to our speaker, they had been guided by this simple yet profound mandate: “Dignity Now; Hope for Eternity.” 
 
I cannot conceive of a clearer description or mandate for what we hope to achieve in holistic church planting—restore dignity now, and instill hope for eternity through establishing prophetic communities of faith that embody the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
  

1. We enter a village where a deeply troubling need persists.
2. We lead villagers to identify what resources are available in the community to resolve the need.
3. We help distinguish God’s Truths from lies in ownership of resources.
4. We practically train how to use chosen resources.
5. We introduce the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and organize converts into communities of faith. 

In this way, human dignity is restored even as individuals and communities come to know and embrace the eternal hope found only in Jesus Christ. Holistic church planting embodies well the mandate: “Dignity Now; Hope for Eternity.”
 
Dane Fowlkes, Ph.D.

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