The names featured on the scroll represent the voices of Christians who have committed themselves to the fight against global poverty by signing the Micah Call – a statement of faith in support of the aims of Micah Challenge.
The Micah Call states in part: "This is a moment in history of unique potential... Where we have the means to dramatically reduce poverty… We commit ourselves, as followers of Jesus, to pursue justice, act with kindness and walk humbly with God. We call on Christians everywhere to be agents of hope for and with the poor …and hold our national and global leaders to account to fulfil their promise to halve global poverty by 2015."
Micah Challenge is encouraging Christians across the country who are yet to sign the Micah Call, to do so today on the Micah Challenge website. Please sign before 15 June, so that the list of names on the scroll will stretch as far as possible across the floor of the Great Hall.
"We want to see the number of people who want to be a voice for justice continue to grow. The more people that sign, the more powerful our collective voice will be", said Micah Challenge National Coordinator, John Beckett.
"We urge all followers of Jesus to make a personal commitment to living lives characterised by justice, mercy and humility. Add your name to the cause of halving global poverty by 2015 by signing the Micah Call today."
So far, more than 111 000 Christians in Australia have signed the Micah Call. The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition have been invited to attend the Signature Event and receive the scroll on behalf of our nation's leaders. As yet, neither Party Leader has committed to attend, but many Parliamentary Members and Senators have confirmed their participation. All politicians will be asked to add their signature to a response, and recommit themselves to the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals.
To sign the Micah Call, visit: www.micahchallenge.org.au/micah-call, and add your name to the growing voice for justice.
The Signature Event is the key public event of the fifth annual Micah Challenge National Gathering, Voices for Justice, where three hundred Christians of all ages from all across Australia will converge on Parliament House to pray, worship, learn and act for justice for the global poor.
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Voices for Justice promises to take participants out of their comfort zones and across the doorstep of Parliament House, as they come face-to-face with the nation's leaders in private lobbying meetings, and advocate for the poor. Voices for Justice participants want to see global poverty firmly established as a key election issue – and a timetabled, pre-election commitment from both major parties to increase the aid budget to 0.7% of Gross National Income.
In the coming months and in the lead up to the election, Micah Challenge supporters will continue to raise their voices to God, and our nation's leaders, on behalf of the poor.
To watch a short Micah Call video, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MicahChallenge#p/u/0/t9oU5xg17OU
To find out more and to register for Voices for Justice, visit: www.micahchallenge.org.au/voices-justice.
Micah Challenge is a global movement of Christians that aims to deepen engagement with the poor by integrating social justice as an essential aspect of faith. We want to encourage the leaders of all nations to fulfil their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, to halve absolute poverty by 2015. We believe that we have made a promise to the poor and are capable of upholding our commitment. If every Christian chooses to act with justice and kindness, walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8), imagine the impact we can have.