By Elizabeth Winter, Shoreline Covenant Church
As believer in Jesus Christ, I have been inspired and honored to witness fellow believers walk in faith; within the Evangelical Covenant Church and within our Pacific Northwest Conference. Visible throughout, is a dedication to collaboratively and prayerfully engage faith into action, consistently heart-felt and exceptional. Also exceptional is the reverence in serving God through an inter-generational and multi-cultural missions-based faith. The positive and lasting impact on the world, through regional, national and international missions is substantial and, affirms a steadfast belief in the power of Jesus Christ as our Lord.
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The relationship between regional, national and international missions is significant, and one I had the opportunity to experience personally, this past Spring; through organizing a World Vision Global 6 Kilometer walk/run for Clean Water. The event was focused towards raising awareness and funds for World Visions Water Projects in the D.R. Congo. In organizing the event for our church, located in a city north of Seattle, Washington, I found tremendous inspiration in seeing inter-faith collaboration, entrepreneurship and multi-cultural ministry taking place throughout our Conference. Clearly the Pacific Northwest Conference is dedicated to cultivating communities of worship and communities of fellowship while ministering to those in need and seeking justice of the oppressed. I felt a clear and defined sense of belonging within the Conference, as my church, along with so many others, embarked on a day of love, mercy, doing justice and serving globally. As a Conference, uniting in furthering the āVision for Missionā within the Evangelical Covenant Church. As a Conference, the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, each with their own unique history, geography and demographics; collectively put faith into action for the benefit of World Visions Water Projects.
The four states within the Conference presented a united model of inter-faith collaboration, enthusiasm, entrepreneurship and multi-culturalism, in planning and hosting a World Vision Global Walk for Water. Inter-faith-collaboration was evidenced through an event route proceeding past many churches to allow participants to join the walk at any location and to walk a distance most convenient for them; with a gathering and awarding of medals at a City Park after the event. Enthusiasm was evidenced through the value one person can have on making a positive impact; with individuals, families, neighborhoods and home-school-groups, organizing walks. Entrepreneurship was evidenced with an entire city organizing a city-wide walk, with involvement by City Hall and Chamber of Commerce. Multiculturalism was evidenced through many third-world immigrants and refugees being interviewed as an element of the promotion for the respective events. All of which cultivating communities of inter-generational and multi-cultural fellowship and worship within the many event throughout the conference.
My own experience in participating in a World Vision 6K was enlightening. I had the opportunity to meet fellow participants who spent years as missionaries in the D.R. Congo along with immigrants and refugees from Kenya and the D.R. Congo, as well. I gained a greater understanding for the value clean water has on the ability to minister and care for those in third world countries. I also gained a greater understanding for the time involved in obtaining water and the level of physical fatigue, illness and personal depravation which occurs when one is required to drink unclean water. I learned of World Visionās successful work accomplished in the D.R. Congo for improving hygiene, sanitation and education involving self-care, integrated with providing sustainable clean water. World Visions work in providing clean water have consistently been paralleled with increased economic stability, increased provision of health care, increased provision of quality education and an increase in childrenās literacy skills, within the respective areas throughout the world where World Vision works to provide clean water.
I look forward to the 2020 World Vision Global Walk for Clean Water, and I feel strongly the lives of so many in need are being improved daily, as a result of World Visionsā global efforts.
[Click Here] to learn more about the Global 6K for Water and World Vision