Leading UK Evangelicals Appeal to US President Bush for Action on World Poverty

While the US President George W. Bush has been comparatively reluctant to the G8’s anti-poverty plans, the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK) together with 19 key evangelical leaders in Britain have written a formal letter to President Bush, appealing for actions to be taken on world poverty.

The letter was published by the Public Affairs Department of the EAUK and signed by a number of illuminated names such Rev Dr Joel Edwards, Director of the EAUK; Rev Steve Chalke, Founder of Oasis Trust and Faithworks; Rev David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist Union; Rev Nicky Gumbel, Alpha Course Chaplain of the UK, Bishop of Liverpool James Jones and among others.

Two weeks ago, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced a debt relief deal for the world’s poorest countries after his meeting with President Bush. The G7 finance ministers have already agreed to completely write-off the debt to the World Bank and the African Development Bank for the poorest countries in the world. This is expected to save poor countries up to £1.1 billion a year.

At the same time, the US treasury secretary, John Snow, declared that talks had closed despite G8’s further plans to increase international aid and create fairer trade rules, as suggested by Blair.

Bush and Snow are also expected to remain firmly against proposals for an International Finance Facility (IFF) which aims to generate extra international aid, as put forward by the British Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Evangelicals in the UK wrote to President Bush in the letter, describing that the G8 Summit taking place in July is "a moment for vision and decisive solutions to global problems" as well as a "God-given chance". Therefore, they appeal to President Bush to use his unique position to alleviate world poverty.

"Poverty and injustice, which are addressed throughout the Bible go beyond man-made politics and require us to do what is right in God's eyes," the letter said, with reference to the Bible passage quoted from Matthew 25:40.

They further stated that now "is not the time to rest on what has already been achieved but to build on this work and push forward for a final historic agreement."

UK evangelicals concluded the letter with encouraging words to the constituencies to support poverty alleviation at home and abroad, as part of Christian commitment and witness.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear President Bush

As leaders of Evangelical Christian churches and organisations in the UK we are writing to you as a brother in Christ, to ask you to use your unique position as President of the United States and a member of the G8 to alleviate world poverty.

The G8 Summit taking place in July is a moment for vision and decisive solutions to global problems. This is a God-given chance to change the course of history for the millions of people who live on less than one dollar a day. While we acknowledge that there may be key differences between the leaders over some of the policy options currently proposed, we still believe and pray that a comprehensive package of measures resulting in wider debt relief, a significant increase in overall aid flows and an international commitment to trade justice can be agreed by all members of the G8.

Poverty and injustice, which are addressed throughout the Bible go beyond man-made politics and require us to do what is right in God's eyes. We believe you can lead the way in helping the poor. As Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 NIV

We welcome the steps you have already made, particularly the recent agreement to cancel the debt of 18 of the poorest countries. However, we recognise that now is not the time to rest on what has already been achieved but to build on this work and push forward for a final historic agreement. We pray that God will bless you and the other leaders with vision, wisdom and discernment as you participate in the Summit and beyond.

As part of our Christian commitment and witness we are encouraging our own constituencies to support poverty alleviation at home and abroad. We would be very happy to meet the US ambassador in the UK to discuss these matters in more detail.

Every blessing in Christ

Signatories of this letter:
Revd Joel Edwards; Jonathan Aitken- Writer & Author; Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo- Kingsway International Christian Centre; Rt Rev Wallance Benn- Bishop of Lewes; Lyndon Bowring- CARE; Rt Revd Peter Broadbent- Bishop of Willensden; Revd Steve Chalke MBE- Oasis and Faithworks; Gerald Coates- Pioneer Trust; Revd David Coffey- General Secretary of the Baptist Union; Roy Crowne- Youth for Christ; Ram Gidoomal CBE- South Asian Development Partnership; Revd Nicky Gumbel- Holy Trinity Brompton; Graham Fairbairn- Tearfund; Rt Revd James Jones- Bishop of Liverpool; Dr Simeon Olaposi Kehinde- Fellowship of Nigerian Christians; Katei Kirby- African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance; Dr Jonathan Oloyede- Soul in the City; David W. Porter- Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland; Derek Tidball- London School of Theology; Rev Paul C. Weaver- Assemblies of God.