CBF Virginia Adopts Millennium Development Goals

By Kristin Adkins Whitesides, CBFV Communications Editor

March 10, 2007

RICHMOND

CBF of Virginia has adopted the United Nations Millennium Development Goals at the urging of Colleen Burroughs, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Passport, Inc., a CBF Global Missions Partner. In her sermon, "The New Moon Shot Generation," at the closing worship of their General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia, Burroughs challenged CBFV to adopt the goals. She stressed that such affirmation of the goals would serve as a sign of CBFV's commitment to serving the needs of God's children around the world.

Burroughs encouraged action, saying, "Find your voice CBF Virginia.  Speak up and say what matters and expect the miracle of Christ to multiply your efforts.  Consider adopting the Millennium Development Goals.  Hopefully it will make other people sit up and notice.  Maybe it will move them to change. This is more than our Bold Mission Thrust.  This is our moon shot."

The Millennium Development Goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development. The target date for achieving these goals is the year 2015.

Following Burroughs' sermon, the Reverend Tim Madison, 2006-2007 Moderator of CBFV, called the body into a special business session. Through a motion made by Reverend Nancy Stanton McDaniel, pastor at Rhoadesville Baptist Church, CBFV voted to adopt the goals and, after an immediately following motion from the floor, committed a substantial portion of its new "Emerging Missions" 2007-2008 budget line to supporting them.

"I am still so excited about what happened at CBFV with the adoption of the Millennium [Development] Goals.  As I listened to Colleen and heard her passion, I knew that we had to do something.  I am so proud of CBFV for 'stepping up to the plate'…and 'putting feet to our faith' by choosing to give money to one or more of the initiatives," McDaniel said.

Madison added, "The adoption of the…goals is a step in the right direction to raise awareness and call all Christians to action as we combat the overwhelming tragedy related to world poverty and disease."

When asked about her reaction to CBFV's action, Burroughs expressed her excitement, "I was speechless.  I thought maybe at best, someone would form a committee and you would talk about it for six months.  Never in my wildest [dreams] did I think we would stop in the middle of the worship service and get called back into business session.  It was really fun to watch CBF Virginia in action!"

The adoption of the Millennium Development Goals is simply the beginning of the work ahead for CBFV. Each local church and individual associated with the fellowship body is encouraged to find ways in which their gifts and passions intersect with the goals. In this way, their own ministries might shape and inform how these goals are served and supported.

Colleen Burrough's Sermon, CBFV General Assembly

World Water Day March 22

Resources

General Assembly Report and Photos