The World Over
Jesus Christ
(John 14:27)
Our Integrated Mission
by Captain Polis Pantelidis
Greek nights can produce great inspirational experiences. I praise the Lord he has given us the opportunity to meet on such a night recently.
Integrated mission was discussed over a cup of tea. How could integrated mission develop in Greece?
There is no doubt that the Lord wants us, the Salvation Army, to be near the people who live on the streets of the city; in Salvation Army language ‘The marginalised ten percent’.
There is an ever growing group that consists of individuals of different ages, skin colour, ethnicity and religion who survive in the streets of the city from the rubbish bins and the alms of the people passing by.
Social provision is still in its infancy (although it does develop fast) but Outreach work is hardly developed at all, thus individuals in need must find their way to the social services desk in order to seek help.
We feel that as Salvation Army, we could approach those in need and assist them with the help that the community and social services has to offer in finding a way out.
CARE
People in the streets come with numerous problems such as health problems, survival problems, emotional problems, and problems of self-esteem. Since they live in the streets and social services are behind a desk waiting, it will be our aim to introduce one to the other.
Our care so far has been expressed in various ways such as:
working with the girls of the red-light district by providing a listening ear
helping an elderly woman who lived in a derelict building to find a new place with no leaking roof
providing some colourful bedding to a girl in the mental health hospital
helping a homeless man fill in his documents in order to get some income.
COMMUNITY
It is in our future plans to develop venues where social isolated individuals will find a sense of community. More importantly we wish to assist our friends who live in the streets to find the courage to stand firm on their self-worth and claim their place in the community.
We do hope as we link with the various agencies operating in the social provision sector that, as The Salvation Army, we will be able to develop a sense of belonging to this community.
We talked about small groups functioning in houses or public venues where individuals will be able to express themselves and find love and acceptance. This is a way of discovering our lost spirituality.
We talked about the need of inspiring those who come to those gatherings with a sense of purpose.
CHANGE
Change is possible !!!!
The young mum now walks the streets of the city well dressed, with a big smile on her face and with the confidence of a better tomorrow in spite of the difficulties that may lie ahead.
Not long ago, she was a picture of a woman who lost all dignity and interest in life, as she walked the streets of the city.
HOPE
In this young mother’s heart despair has now been replaced by hope.
HOPE as our belief
We feel that hope comes tho those who live on and from the streets of the city as they are approached with respect. We do not feel that the people in the streets should be recipients of our pity but as people who have the right to a better way of life.
The sphere Project, a programme introduced by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR) and InterAction with VOICE and ICVA affirms the fundamental importance of the right to live with dignity.
Offering assistance, while planting in the hearts of the individuals the seeds of self worth, is our first and foremost aim.
The Bible tells us that all people are created in the image of God. We count it a privilege to make our acquaintances with God’s image on the streets of the city.