Believers Everywhere Attack Hunger (BEAT Hunger) has moved from the youth ministry to the whole church.
Young people in various churches got involved in the Southern Baptist hunger emphasis when it was launched three years ago – and the rest of the congregation began to experience renewal, growth and a healthy spirit.
From that initial effort, in which youth groups dedicated 24 hours to gaining an awareness of hunger issues and how they could plan to “attack” hunger in their communities and the world, churches are now being encouraged to follow young people’s lead with a BEAT Hunger Weekend Oct. 11-13.
Steve Nelson, director of hunger concerns for the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said churches participating in the BEAT Hunger Weekend are being asked to address hunger needs in their town by hosting a canned food drive, serving at a local shelter or having church members raise money in support of the SBC’s World Hunger Fund.
More than 460 groups have shown a strong interest in participating in the weekend emphasis to benefit their local communities and the World Hunger Fund. Although initiated months ago, the BEAT Hunger Weekend comes at a critical time: Giving to the SBC World Hunger Fund is down dramatically from previous years, Nelson said.
Gifts to the fund were down more than 15 percent last year, or a $1.5 million shortfall from 2000 to 2001. So far this year, giving has slipped another 11 percent.
(BP)
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