For Immediate Release

Thousands of Christians from over 20 countries will celebrate Micah Sunday on Oct. 15, participating in festivals, prayer services and exhibitions all aimed at raising awareness of the UN Millennium Development Goals and poverty.

Micah Sunday is an annual effort by Micah Challenge, a global campaign of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network, to mobilize churches and Christians against poverty through unified gestures.

This year Micah Sunday overlaps with “Stand Up,” which is THE international anti-poverty event of 2006 where millions around the world will attempt to break a world record on the number of people standing up against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.

“Christ taught us that finding justice takes passion and persistence,” said Michael Smitheram, the International Director for Micah Challenge. “Each year Micah Sunday shows political leaders that Christians are passionate and persistent about achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

“This year we’re sending that message and we’re preparing churches to campaign for the MDGs at ‘half-time’ in 2007,” he added in reference to the midpoint between the year 2000 when the MDG commitment began and the 2015 goal.

Organizers from several countries have already reported success in rallying church support:

— In Sierra Leone, over 300,000 people are expected to “Stand Up” against poverty in their church services. A church leaders workshop and football match in the National practice stadium in Freetown have been organized specifically for the cause.

— In Australia, 130 Christians will partake in a three-day “Voices for Justice” campaign. The effort involves preaching to over 70 politicians a strong message that global poverty can be halved by 2015.

— In Peru, youth from all over the country are expected to join a Youth Music Festival against poverty, where participants can discuss debt and trade issues. Cinema Forums will show movies that give an insight into poverty issues for the Evangelical community and general public.

— In Amsterdam there will be a youth service held in a hotel featuring music, speech, praying and worship organized by Fair Food who endorse Micah Challenge.

— In the U.S., the famous New Year’s Eve ball will make a first-ever non-holiday appearance at Times Square to “stand up” and lead the crowd in achieving the world record.

Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance, explained that Micah Sunday is an important symbolic day to stand with those who are impacted by the ravages of extreme poverty.

“It is a time to deepen our own involvement with the poor and remind governments of their promises of reducing poverty in the world,” said Tunnicliffe. “I urge all Churches to participate in this event.”

Contact Information:

Pauline Chang, Press Secretary

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +[1] 202.223.7556

Sylvia Soon, Chief of Staff

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +[1] 604.838.3922

World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)

World Evangelical Alliance is made up of 127 national evangelical alliances located in 7 regions and 104 associate member organizations. The vision of WEA is to extend the Kingdom of God by making disciples of all nations and by Christ-centered transformation within society. WEA exists to foster Christian unity, to provide an identity, voice and platform for the 420 million evangelical Christians worldwide.

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