Individuals from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to learn about and advocate for poverty-reduction policies in the United States and around the world.

May 2009

By Shawna Templeton, World Vision U.S.

“I hope that our congressmen take this seriously — take it to heart, make a change, listen to us.”

Even at the young age of 10, Sara Petrosian is already learning the power of advocacy — and her sentiments were shared among the more than 1,000 attendees who participated in the Mobilization to End Poverty. Sara attended the Mobilization with her mother, Laura Petrosian, of Reston, Va., and her grandmother, Linda Demas of Old Saybrook, Conn.

World Vision was the lead sponsor of this historic gathering organized by Sojourners in Washington, D.C., on April 26-29 — an event to call on the president and Congress to enact better poverty-reduction policies.

‘How can I not go?’

Laura and Linda learned of the event independently of one another.

“The spirit moves in strange ways,” said Linda, adding that she had a deep desire to attend the Mobilization, but wasn’t planning to go until she was encouraged by Laura. “I had an e-mail from my daughter, saying, ‘Mom, are you aware of this? I’ve been thinking I really should go. How can I not go? And who would go with me but my mother?’”

Learn, prepare, worship, and pray

The Mobilization began with a full day of training sessions, worship, and opportunities to hear from leaders such as Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners, World Vision President Rich Stearns, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, former Rep. Tony Hall, and several other poverty, development, and advocacy experts.

The central theme of the day was the calling to live out the biblical mandate to care for and speak out on behalf of the poor.

“We are called to live transformed lives — to lift up the poor and the downtrodden, care for the sick, visit the prisoner, comfort the afflicted,” said Stearns before the group of more than 1,000. “We are charged with lifting up justice, speaking up for the voiceless, holding our government accountable, challenging racism and bigotry, working to lift the poor out of their poverty, and fighting against evil whenever we see it.” (Read the full text of the speech.)

Motivation to mobilize

This message rang true with Linda and Laura.

“When I heard Richard Stearns speak today, I was like, that’s what I believe — this man writes and lives what I believe,” said Linda.

Added Laura: “You’re saved by the sacrifice Jesus made…you’re not saved by your deeds, but you are still very much called to live the life that Christ lived.”

Being a voice for the poor

The next day, participants broke into groups with others from their home states to meet with their members of Congress and advocate for poverty-reduction policies. By day's end, they visited 85 Senate offices and 225 House offices.

Lauren Buehler, a nursing student at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., was one of 100 university students who attended the Mobilization with World Vision’s Acting on AIDS group. “[Because] I have faith, I am one of those people who has to stand up and has to speak out,” she explained. “I can follow in Jesus’ footsteps...He reached the poor, the sick, the needy.”

After her delegation met with a staff member for Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois, Lauren said she was very encouraged. “I felt the meeting went really well … he was very receptive and responded very positively to our thoughts and concerns.

“It’s been very interesting to learn how things are run on Capitol Hill,” she added. “[It] has been a great experience to learn by action — by doing it, not just hearing about it.”

Dig deeper, reflect, serve

Day three provided attendees with the opportunity to hear from church leaders, dig deeper into the issues surrounding poverty, and participate in service. Attendees also had the option to build Caregiver Kits with World Vision — kits that are given to family members and local volunteers around the world who are providing compassionate support to people living with AIDS.

Reflecting on the entire experience, Lauren considered what she would like to share with her friends and fellow students when she returns home: “I would like to see students be empowered.

“I would like to show other students that political action is crucial...they can not only work to end poverty personally, but they can bring it to our leaders.”