Lasting Change

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How does lasting change come to a needy village or city? Many people invest money and resources in lauded projects to just "get it done." Relief is short-term help given during times of crisis, trying to return a person or community back to its normal state.  Americans excel at providing relief. We have trained and led the world in helping communities and nations recover from natural disasters, famine, war, and other crises.

Still, the world’s problems are not solved in providing relief! In fact, when we give in contexts where development is more appropriate, cultures of dependence, entitlement, sloth, corruption, and helplessness take deeper root. The same Scriptures which tell us to remember the widows, orphans, and prisoners, also clearly state how to do so including other principles: if a man will not work, he should not eat; those who do not provide for their families are worse than infidels; the godly refuse bribes. Even Ruth’s story demonstrates a help other than a welfare mentality. She worked hard in the fields, and her kinsman considered it his duty and privilege to help. Community Health Evangelism (CHE) recognizes differing roles for relief and development, but focuses on development.

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CHE communicates Christ and His transforming power to a community. Change that is passed through generations happens as people’s hearts and worldviews change. This is not done by giving a gift or constructing a building. Such activity often reinforces self-destructive worldviews.  In CHE, people are equipped to discover how the Lord has provided all they need for life and godliness where they live. Fatalism is replaced by hope, sloth by hard work, corruption by honesty, entitlement by servanthood, and dependence on men by trust in God. Development is a time-consuming and long-term commitment to see people take responsibility for their choices, increase their skills, and bring fruitfulness to their communities by obedience to God’s Word. It is pure joy to see this transformation occur. In the end, the people become blessed so that they prove, in turn, to be a blessing to others from their capacity to do relief and development.

Celebrating heroes this Memorial Day weekend,
Verlin and Debbie Anderson

The Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) is a mission of dedicated medical professionals who participate in the CHE Global Network.  Together, in a loose affiliation of individuals, churches, denominational and nondenominational agencies, we share God's Light and Truth through Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Unless rescinded, the network includes FWBIM.

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