World Vision ACT:S is a program that is empowering college students to use social media to raise awareness of poverty issues and injustice around the globe.
Using Facebook, Twitter, newsletters by email and blogs, the group equips students to bring awareness to issues like AIDS, malaria, child slavery and hunger. One goal the group is working towards through creative online campaigning is ending malaria deaths by 2015.
Anyone can join their network, follow their Faith and Justice blog or sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter.
Those interested in joining ACT:S can watch this video to find out more about their ministry:
02 December, 2011
Social media: a new kind of revolution
Social media is much more than a trendy way to express opinions or gain a few followers, it's revolutionizing the way companies reach out to their customers, bringing authentic awareness to the public about current events around the world and even providing a tool that has empowered people to topple an oppressive regime and bring change to their country.
Social networking was credited as a strategic tool which enabled Libyan demonstrators to overthrow their government and bring an end to a brutal regime. Like an article in the Sydney Morning Herald noted, the defining image in the revolution could very well be “a young woman or a young man with a smartphone.”
As Peter Beaumont writes, “She's in the Medina in Tunis with a BlackBerry held aloft, taking a picture of a demonstration outside the prime minister's house. He is an angry Egyptian doctor in an aid station stooping to capture the image of a man with a head injury from missiles thrown by Mubarak's supporters.”
Is it possible that photos, videos and words, coupled with the power of social media, are more powerful tools to create change than guns or even diplomacy? Social media provided an outcome different than we would have seen even fifteen years ago. The uprisings gained momentum, undeniable momentum, that arguably could never have been accomplished as quickly without social media.
While social media played an important role in the Libyan uprising and has been dubbed, the ''Twitter Revolutions,” it’s fair to say many other factors were involved. Even still, it begs the question, how will tools like social media shape the future, especially in the hands of newer, more technically savvy generations?
Social networking was credited as a strategic tool which enabled Libyan demonstrators to overthrow their government and bring an end to a brutal regime. Like an article in the Sydney Morning Herald noted, the defining image in the revolution could very well be “a young woman or a young man with a smartphone.”
As Peter Beaumont writes, “She's in the Medina in Tunis with a BlackBerry held aloft, taking a picture of a demonstration outside the prime minister's house. He is an angry Egyptian doctor in an aid station stooping to capture the image of a man with a head injury from missiles thrown by Mubarak's supporters.”
Is it possible that photos, videos and words, coupled with the power of social media, are more powerful tools to create change than guns or even diplomacy? Social media provided an outcome different than we would have seen even fifteen years ago. The uprisings gained momentum, undeniable momentum, that arguably could never have been accomplished as quickly without social media.
While social media played an important role in the Libyan uprising and has been dubbed, the ''Twitter Revolutions,” it’s fair to say many other factors were involved. Even still, it begs the question, how will tools like social media shape the future, especially in the hands of newer, more technically savvy generations?
23 November, 2011
The heritage of Thanksgiving: Building a legacy of faith and hope
Thanksgiving is upon us. People all over the nation will be prepping their annual turkeys, getting excited about watching their favorite NFL teams play and finalizing their game plan for Black Friday. But I propose a new tradition which was first practiced by Joshua in the Bible and is still relevant for today.
Thanksgiving brings together family, friends and food, but more than anything, I think it's a day to reflect on all we've been blessed with, to give thanks for these blessings and then find ways to share with others throughout the year. In this current economic climate of layoffs and financial melt-downs, it's not difficult to feel anxiety, worry and stress, but this holiday is all about focusing on the very opposite, thankfulness for what we have.
Many of us in one way or another have been abundantly blessed and I don't just mean in Ben Franklins or all the branded accessories in our closets. When I think of blessings, I think of family, friends, health, joy, grace and freedom. In this economic climate, especially, it is important to reflect on God's faithfulness in our lives. It's so easy to remember the opportunities which didn't materialize and to focus on loss, but it is in remembering our blessings, that our hope and faith is renewed to carry us through the tougher times.
Joshua 4:1-9 recounts the story of the Israelites at the end of a long journey. God had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt and sustained them through many years in the desert. This was a milestone for a generation, a dream come to fruition, as they crossed over the Jordan river into the promised land.
To mark the memory, God commanded Joshua to set up a memorial of the crossing, but the memorial symbolized much more than parted waters and a river crossing, it represented God's kept promises, His faithfulness, their answered prayers. More than that, it was a sign of hope for future generations to remember.
This past Sunday, my pastor suggested making memorial stones to remember God's goodness and faithfulness. What a beautiful way to see God's fingerprints all over the blessings in our lives. These stones give us faith to face an uncertain future.
As you invite your loved ones over this holiday and pass the pumpkin pie around the table, take a moment to reflect on your blessings and answered prayers. Know that as you share stories of God's faithfulness and bear witness to God's goodness, you are building a legacy of faith and hope for others. Like Dennis Bratcher said in his online sermon, memorial stones are not a "stale tradition of facts and ritual, but the tradition of living encounters with God, a heritage of living stones that speak to us of God, and His work in the lives of His people (from The Voice website)."
So when our children, friends and family ask, "what do these stones mean?" we can say they are places where God met us and they will know He is a living God who still guides His people.
Joshua 4:1-9 (passage taken from Biblegateway.com)
When all the nation had fully passed over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, take twelve men from among the people, one man out of every tribe, and command them, take twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan from the place where the priests' feet stood firm; carry them over with you and leave them at the place where you lodge tonight.Then Joshua called the twelve men of the Israelites whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, pass over before the ark of the Lord your God in the midst of the Jordan, and take up every man of you a stone on his shoulder, as is the number of the tribes of the Israelites, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, "what do these stones mean to you?," then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off.
So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever. And the Israelites did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord told Joshua, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
Thanksgiving brings together family, friends and food, but more than anything, I think it's a day to reflect on all we've been blessed with, to give thanks for these blessings and then find ways to share with others throughout the year. In this current economic climate of layoffs and financial melt-downs, it's not difficult to feel anxiety, worry and stress, but this holiday is all about focusing on the very opposite, thankfulness for what we have.
Many of us in one way or another have been abundantly blessed and I don't just mean in Ben Franklins or all the branded accessories in our closets. When I think of blessings, I think of family, friends, health, joy, grace and freedom. In this economic climate, especially, it is important to reflect on God's faithfulness in our lives. It's so easy to remember the opportunities which didn't materialize and to focus on loss, but it is in remembering our blessings, that our hope and faith is renewed to carry us through the tougher times.
Joshua 4:1-9 recounts the story of the Israelites at the end of a long journey. God had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt and sustained them through many years in the desert. This was a milestone for a generation, a dream come to fruition, as they crossed over the Jordan river into the promised land.
To mark the memory, God commanded Joshua to set up a memorial of the crossing, but the memorial symbolized much more than parted waters and a river crossing, it represented God's kept promises, His faithfulness, their answered prayers. More than that, it was a sign of hope for future generations to remember.
This past Sunday, my pastor suggested making memorial stones to remember God's goodness and faithfulness. What a beautiful way to see God's fingerprints all over the blessings in our lives. These stones give us faith to face an uncertain future.
As you invite your loved ones over this holiday and pass the pumpkin pie around the table, take a moment to reflect on your blessings and answered prayers. Know that as you share stories of God's faithfulness and bear witness to God's goodness, you are building a legacy of faith and hope for others. Like Dennis Bratcher said in his online sermon, memorial stones are not a "stale tradition of facts and ritual, but the tradition of living encounters with God, a heritage of living stones that speak to us of God, and His work in the lives of His people (from The Voice website)."
So when our children, friends and family ask, "what do these stones mean?" we can say they are places where God met us and they will know He is a living God who still guides His people.
Joshua 4:1-9 (passage taken from Biblegateway.com)
When all the nation had fully passed over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, take twelve men from among the people, one man out of every tribe, and command them, take twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan from the place where the priests' feet stood firm; carry them over with you and leave them at the place where you lodge tonight.Then Joshua called the twelve men of the Israelites whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, pass over before the ark of the Lord your God in the midst of the Jordan, and take up every man of you a stone on his shoulder, as is the number of the tribes of the Israelites, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, "what do these stones mean to you?," then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off.
So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever. And the Israelites did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord told Joshua, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
13 November, 2011
Blogging for a cause
I know I’m late on the band-wagon, but I am quickly becoming a fan of video blogs (aka vlogs). They are so authentic and engaging. This week I started to watch vlog entries from World Vision social media experts at World Vision Australia. The website covers a group of four twenty-something bloggers who travel the globe visiting World Vision projects and sharing their experiences.
We all know social media is about getting to the heart of issues and giving updates and sharing information in real-time, but in my opinion, vlogs bring a whole new depth of transparency to the non-profit world. Ten years ago, a prospective donor would mail in a check or make an online donation based on information they received in the mail, online or in person. They may even have seen an advertisement appealing for donations or watched a marketing video, but while marketing materials are helpful and necessary, they are polished, edited and rehearsed.
Social media for non-profit benefactors is the equivalent to a behind the scenes tour of a ministry. Vlogging in particular is such a brilliant way to show donors first-hand what their money is going towards and to let them not just hear about it or watch clips of it, but experience the ministry in a raw, unedited way.
Check it out for yourself and see what you think…
30 October, 2011
Harnessing social media for good causes
Social media connects people like never before. With the average person spending 13 hours a week online, it's not hard to imagine why.
Being able to distribute information globally at the click of a mouse empowers advocates to quickly raise awareness and funds on a shoestring budget.
In February 2009, more than 200 cities around the world held Twestivals, which rallied the Twitter community together for an evening to raise money and awareness for charity: water. In total, they raised about US$250,000 and were able to provide clean water for over 17,000 people by using Twitter as their primary tool with additional information on Vimeo and Facebook.
According to a study by NetWitsThinkTank, an online resource for nonprofits, fundraisers who adopted integrated social media tools increased their fundraising by as much as 40 percent compared to their peers who weren’t using the available online tools.
The results are clear, online fundraising is clearly more successful and far-reaching than traditional fundraising techniques – and with more immediate impact.
Being able to distribute information globally at the click of a mouse empowers advocates to quickly raise awareness and funds on a shoestring budget.
In February 2009, more than 200 cities around the world held Twestivals, which rallied the Twitter community together for an evening to raise money and awareness for charity: water. In total, they raised about US$250,000 and were able to provide clean water for over 17,000 people by using Twitter as their primary tool with additional information on Vimeo and Facebook.
According to a study by NetWitsThinkTank, an online resource for nonprofits, fundraisers who adopted integrated social media tools increased their fundraising by as much as 40 percent compared to their peers who weren’t using the available online tools.
The results are clear, online fundraising is clearly more successful and far-reaching than traditional fundraising techniques – and with more immediate impact.
29 October, 2011
How youth are giving back
According to a study by World Vision, an international relief and development group, "eighty percent of teens use social media and 44 percent say they’ve become more aware of the needs of others as a result of their use of social media like Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, "34 percent “friend”, “like” or “follow” charitable organizations or causes they believe in."
In an age where fundraising income has dramatically decreased, I think it's safe to say public awareness about charitable causes has greatly increased with the advent of the internet and social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Internet Generation and Millenials are generations who can spread news like wildfire using a tool even more powerful than their debit card: their social networking account.
Social media has empowered younger generations to have influence and a platform to contribute to good causes, even if they don't make a ton of dough, have a famous name or a prestigious diploma. In the twenty-first century, all it takes to make positive change overnight is a Wi-Fi connection, a Mac and a message.
Disclosure:
In the interest of full disclosure, I must state that I am employed by a company in the humanitarian and relief sector, however, my blog posts are not related in any specific way to my job, nor do they or will they convey proprietary information or necessarily convey the views of my employer. Advocacy and volunteering for non-profit is my passion both professionally and personally, but this blog does not relate to my professional job.
In an age where fundraising income has dramatically decreased, I think it's safe to say public awareness about charitable causes has greatly increased with the advent of the internet and social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Internet Generation and Millenials are generations who can spread news like wildfire using a tool even more powerful than their debit card: their social networking account.
Social media has empowered younger generations to have influence and a platform to contribute to good causes, even if they don't make a ton of dough, have a famous name or a prestigious diploma. In the twenty-first century, all it takes to make positive change overnight is a Wi-Fi connection, a Mac and a message.
Disclosure:
In the interest of full disclosure, I must state that I am employed by a company in the humanitarian and relief sector, however, my blog posts are not related in any specific way to my job, nor do they or will they convey proprietary information or necessarily convey the views of my employer. Advocacy and volunteering for non-profit is my passion both professionally and personally, but this blog does not relate to my professional job.
14 August, 2011
Dropping the ball
Our standard schnauzer, Duke, is crazy about tennis balls (especially ones that squeak, but that is beside the point).I had just bought him a new ball to play with but he was adamant about keeping the old filthy one. He ran around desperately trying to keep it, but little did he know I had a newer, even better toy for him. It was as if he didn't believe I could have something he'd love more. I just wanted to swap the dirty, torn ball for something I knew was safer (and squeakier!)
As I finally managed to trade the old ball for the new one, I realized that is a lot how we are with God. We hold onto possessions, bad memories, dreams, hope, even guilt or sin, unwilling to trust that God could have something better in store for us. After all, how could God's plans be better than our own? And even if they were, it's scary letting go!
The truth is that the very one who created each of us knows us well. Holding onto hurt, forgiveness, shame and fear are just as futile as Duke gripping onto the muddy, broken ball. He had no idea that in releasing the old toy, he was about to get something in exchange that he'd enjoy even more.
If we can love our pets or children and take care of them, how much more our father in heaven loves and wants to provide for us! The thing is, we can't receive his blessings with clenched fists and callused hearts. Ironically, it's through letting go of our plans and stepping out in faith that we find a life unleashed in Christ which is more extraordinary that we ever could have imagined for ourselves.
As I finally managed to trade the old ball for the new one, I realized that is a lot how we are with God. We hold onto possessions, bad memories, dreams, hope, even guilt or sin, unwilling to trust that God could have something better in store for us. After all, how could God's plans be better than our own? And even if they were, it's scary letting go!
The truth is that the very one who created each of us knows us well. Holding onto hurt, forgiveness, shame and fear are just as futile as Duke gripping onto the muddy, broken ball. He had no idea that in releasing the old toy, he was about to get something in exchange that he'd enjoy even more.
If we can love our pets or children and take care of them, how much more our father in heaven loves and wants to provide for us! The thing is, we can't receive his blessings with clenched fists and callused hearts. Ironically, it's through letting go of our plans and stepping out in faith that we find a life unleashed in Christ which is more extraordinary that we ever could have imagined for ourselves.
16 February, 2011
Fear or faith
Between the rattlesnake encounter and rock climbing, you could say last Saturday was an interesting day. We went on a guided lesson with The Southern Terrain and let me tell you, seasoned advice from very experienced adventurers will only take you so far and then faith has to take you the rest of the way. Let me explain...
Although the face we were climbing on was considered "beginning," there was nothing simple about it, you still had to haul yourself up there. The good news is that you find a great deal of satisfaction once you've reached the top. The blunt truth is that it looks easier than it is from the ground and it's actually quite intimidating on the way up.
I decided to climb the easier face first, saving the more technical climb for last. First one went okay and I managed to ungracefully scramble my way up and down. But about half way up my ascent on the harder face, I made the mistake of looking down. Instead of thinking of how far I'd come, all I could think of was that it was a long way down and the only thing keeping me from falling was a rope and a guy holding it further down the cliff.
Standing on a tiny ledge, I stretched out my right arm and foot looking for a sturdy crevice as my next move. And then I looked down. Fear overtook me and I'll admit it, I asked to rappel down instead of braving the next step.
You know what I realized from that experience (albeit once I was safe and sound on the ground)? Rock climbing is a lot like having faith in God. As humans, we look up at mountains we face. Sometimes we feel the cliff is just too steep, or we'd rather take a slower, easier, less painful route to get to our destination, but in doing so we don't grow, we don't challenge ourselves to mature, or face our fears to see what we're really made of. Instead of facing an obstacle or hardship with faith that God will guide our steps, we look look up at how far there is to go, or down and realize our position is too vulnerable and we opt out of an opportunity.
Sure, it's safer on the ground, but by staying there we'll never experience the satisfaction of knowing what we can accomplish or grow our faith in God by experiencing His faithfulness in action. And if for no other reason, I've learned that enduring the climb and persevering gives you a humbling perspective you could never have witnessed from the safety of the valley floor.
Although the face we were climbing on was considered "beginning," there was nothing simple about it, you still had to haul yourself up there. The good news is that you find a great deal of satisfaction once you've reached the top. The blunt truth is that it looks easier than it is from the ground and it's actually quite intimidating on the way up.
I decided to climb the easier face first, saving the more technical climb for last. First one went okay and I managed to ungracefully scramble my way up and down. But about half way up my ascent on the harder face, I made the mistake of looking down. Instead of thinking of how far I'd come, all I could think of was that it was a long way down and the only thing keeping me from falling was a rope and a guy holding it further down the cliff.
Standing on a tiny ledge, I stretched out my right arm and foot looking for a sturdy crevice as my next move. And then I looked down. Fear overtook me and I'll admit it, I asked to rappel down instead of braving the next step.
You know what I realized from that experience (albeit once I was safe and sound on the ground)? Rock climbing is a lot like having faith in God. As humans, we look up at mountains we face. Sometimes we feel the cliff is just too steep, or we'd rather take a slower, easier, less painful route to get to our destination, but in doing so we don't grow, we don't challenge ourselves to mature, or face our fears to see what we're really made of. Instead of facing an obstacle or hardship with faith that God will guide our steps, we look look up at how far there is to go, or down and realize our position is too vulnerable and we opt out of an opportunity.
Sure, it's safer on the ground, but by staying there we'll never experience the satisfaction of knowing what we can accomplish or grow our faith in God by experiencing His faithfulness in action. And if for no other reason, I've learned that enduring the climb and persevering gives you a humbling perspective you could never have witnessed from the safety of the valley floor.
22 January, 2011
Pulling up the weeds
For the last few weeks, okay months, I've been pretty lousy at pulling the weeds in my garden. Armed with gardening gloves, a shovel and rake, I began the process of tidying the back yard this afternoon. As I waded through the mud, digging up all the weeds, it reminded me of how sin left unaccountable can grow at a rapid rate, infiltrating everything in its path. There were so many weeds, I could scarcely distinguish between the vegetable plants, shrubbery and weeds. I almost uprooted vegetation I planted with care months previously.
Left unattended, botanical pests such as Morning Glory had grown rampantly in my garden and started to wrap around my vegetable plants, slowly killing them. In the same way, sin, when allowed to grow in the garden of our hearts, takes hold of all of the good, beautiful parts of our lives and takes over. It moves into even the good parts of our lives and before we know it, robs us of our spiritual fruit.
The weeds had gotten so out of control in my yard, that despite some heavy rains and frequent watering, it appeared some of my plants had been choked by the weeds and were dead. To my amazement, several of the plants were alive and had ripe vegetables. Just so, sin covers up the fruit in our lives, hiding our potential and stunting growth in the areas of our lives God wants to grow.
Yet with with regular maintenance (the weeding of sin from our lives), goodness has plenty of room and sunlight. Though it can be strenuous work and not very fun, pulling sin from the roots deprives Satan of having any strongholds in our lives.
Watering plants (going to church), fertilizer (getting spiritual sustenance from reading the Bible) helps plants to grow but when plants don't have adequate sunlight or are overrun by weeds, all the watering or fertilizer in the world won't save them. Simply put, plants won't grow well and you won't grow spiritually without regularly clearing out the "weeds".
As brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge and uproot the weeds in our own back gardens. I promise you, any garden, or person for that matter, will thrive with this kind of regular maintenance.
Left unattended, botanical pests such as Morning Glory had grown rampantly in my garden and started to wrap around my vegetable plants, slowly killing them. In the same way, sin, when allowed to grow in the garden of our hearts, takes hold of all of the good, beautiful parts of our lives and takes over. It moves into even the good parts of our lives and before we know it, robs us of our spiritual fruit.
The weeds had gotten so out of control in my yard, that despite some heavy rains and frequent watering, it appeared some of my plants had been choked by the weeds and were dead. To my amazement, several of the plants were alive and had ripe vegetables. Just so, sin covers up the fruit in our lives, hiding our potential and stunting growth in the areas of our lives God wants to grow.
Yet with with regular maintenance (the weeding of sin from our lives), goodness has plenty of room and sunlight. Though it can be strenuous work and not very fun, pulling sin from the roots deprives Satan of having any strongholds in our lives.
Watering plants (going to church), fertilizer (getting spiritual sustenance from reading the Bible) helps plants to grow but when plants don't have adequate sunlight or are overrun by weeds, all the watering or fertilizer in the world won't save them. Simply put, plants won't grow well and you won't grow spiritually without regularly clearing out the "weeds".
As brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge and uproot the weeds in our own back gardens. I promise you, any garden, or person for that matter, will thrive with this kind of regular maintenance.
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