White House, Freddie Mac and Philadelphia Officials Praise Volunteers' Impact for the PoorMore than 250 partners, staff and supporters from around the world gathered for the fifth annual HOPE worldwide Global Summit meeting in Reston, Virginia on May 16, 2009. They heard speakers celebrate the faith, heart and impact of HOPE worldwide volunteers and leaders and challenge them to make a difference in these difficult economic times.
Mara Vanderslice, Special Assistant to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, told of her own personal experience of helping Latin Americans in poverty, motivated by her faith. She said it is a top priority of her office to involve faith based groups in work to help those in need in the current economic downturn. She praised those involved in this work, citing Isaiah 58:10 and saying, "God's heart is broken as ours are when people suffer." Describing HOPE worldwide as a pioneer in partnerships to help the poor, Vanderslice said, “Please bring us new ideas that work.”HOPE worldwide's Global Summit - where the leaders of HOPE worldwide and the world came together to inspire and encourage the great work of volunteers 
Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Freddie Mac Foundation, said, “HOPE worldwide is well-positioned to serve because you are built on the model of the ministry of Jesus...I want to help cultivate the seeds you are sowing in your ministry because I see the fruits of your labor to feed the hungry and clothe the poor.” He praised the commitment of HOPE worldwide’s church partners and volunteers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, “You can put boots on the ground as quickly as any organization except the military."
The Reverend Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., former Mayor of Philadelphia, challenged the audience to, “Be the Change.” Dr. Goode shared the story of his life of service and leadership after growing up as an African American in the segregated South. Himself the son of a father who was imprisoned, Dr. Goode is now focused on AMACHI, a national mentoring initiative for children of incarcerated parents he founded that has grown to include programs in all 50 states. He inspired the audience by offering his life as an example of the impact an individual of faith determined to overcome can have.HOPE worldwide CEO Randy Jordan said, "We were tremendously heartened not only by our outside speakers' emphasis on the importance of a life of faith and service but also by their recognition of the awesome hearts and impact of our church supporters and volunteers. Without them, there would be no HOPE worldwide."
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More updates from the HOPE worldwide Global Summit to follow.
Visit us at www.hopeww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.
To read more articles from HOPE worldwide on Disciples Today:
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Join us on the 2009 Compassion Tour |
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Taking a Stand at the 2009 Global Summit Click here |
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Remember the Poor April 26, 2009 Click here |