NEW YORK (September 19, 2014) — World Vision will partner with Sojourners, the Micah Challenge and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition to host a prayer vigil with U.S. church leaders as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) begins.
Attendees will celebrate progress that’s already been made and pray for heads of state who will be gathered at the UNGA to provide bolder political leadership in the fight against extreme poverty.
Church leaders will also learn ways the Church and Christian organizations can better use their influence to serve as a voice for the voiceless.
The vigil coincides with the UN Assembly’s theme of delivering on and implementing a transformative development agenda to replace the Millennium Development Goals.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 11a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
WHERE: Church of Saint Agnes, 143 E 43rd St., New York
WHO: Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, senior director of advocacy and outreach at World Vision, U.S., will host the event. Additional speakers will include:
- Rev. Adam Taylor (lead, faith-based initiative, World Bank)
- Olav Kjorven (director, public partnerships, UNICEF)
- Robert Wilson-Blace (CEO, Sojourners International)
- Kevin Jenkins (president, World Vision International)
- Nora Avarientos (executive director, World Vision Philippines)
WHY: In the 14 years since the Millennium Development Goals were established, the world has witnessed the fastest reduction in poverty in human history: there are half a billion fewer people living in extreme poverty, child deaths have fallen by more than 30% and deaths from malaria have fallen by one quarter.
Faith-based organizations, working alongside churches, governments and other relief and development organizations, have made significant contributions to achieving this remarkable progress, but we still have a long way to go. The faith community must continue to work together to ensure that the current development goals are met and that the post-2015 agenda prioritizes the most vulnerable people, helping us bring a swift end to extreme poverty.
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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.
Highlights
- U.S. church leaders hold prayer vigil during United Nations General Assembly
- Partners include Sojourners, the Micah Challenge and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
- Event is September 24 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Saint Agnes in New York