Micah Challenge is urging supporters to write a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith, about the violence DR Congo. Click here to download a  document with a suggested message.

The dates for Voices for Justice 09 have now been announced. The Micah Challenge national gathering and lobbying trip will take place in Canberra on 12-15 October, 2009. Please put the dates in your diary now!

Christians raise voices for justice for the poor

Click here to download a report for MPs about Voices for Justice. The reports were delivered to Parliament House by Micah Challenge on a follow up lobbying trip in November.

 "Unforgettable - literally," is how Nils von Kalm from Melbourne summed up the four days at Voices for Justice, Micah Challenge's national gathering. "I cannot remember being part of such a powerful Christian social movement, something which has a perfect balance of training, inspiration and action."

This unique gathering was not just about talking - but about taking action as well. Amidst a global financial crisis, God's people have spoken up for the world's poorest and most vulnerable. Last week, 240 Christians aged 12-75 from every state and territory gathered in the nation's capital during Anti-Poverty Week. Participants spent two days in practical training about poverty and advocacy, biblical teaching about God's justice, and worship and prayer for the world's poor and our nation's leaders.

This led into two days of action at Parliament House. A celebration was held on the front lawns of Parliament House, with cyclists from Brisbane completing their 1500km ride to highlight the Millennium Development Goals. Maxine McKew launched a paper on how and why Australia should meet the international aid target, then received 4550 handwritten letters from Christians around Australia to be given to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The Create to Advocate art exhibition was launched in Parliament House by MPs Peter Garrett and Steven Ciobo, with 60 artworks from around Australia and over 50 politicians who signed the global partnership canvas painted by Nell Potter to show their support for the campaign.

In small groups of diverse people, 102 meetings with politicians were held over two days to ask our government to increase Australia's overseas aid to the internationally agreed level of 0.7% GNI and within that, to increase our contribution towards child and maternal health to our fair share of $1 billion per year by 2011/2012.

The impact that these ordinary prophets had on Parliamentarians has gone far beyond expectations and is still being seen. NSW Senator Mark Arbib said in an adjournment speech about the group that visited him,"What impressed me about this group was that, although they were from vastly different backgrounds, they were all committed to a common goal; I must say how inspired I was with their passion, energy and drive for the global cause. I wish more of us shared their passion."

Within a week of the gathering, there were 28 speeches, motions moved and questions asked in Parliament in support of the campaign from all sides of politics, and more politicians have committed to raising the issue in the coming weeks. The poor cannot be ignored as this global movement grows in momentum, and we see exciting signs of God's kingdom values expressed and coming to reality in and through God's people. Join in with what God's Spirit is doing to bring justice for the poor.