Church of the Poor draws your attention to the Holy Bible's illustration of God's care and concern for the poor.Let us try to understand God's heart. His compassion towards the poor moves our hearts to follow his example.This is the reason why Church of the Poor was born.

God expects us to love one another and take care of the poor in our society.

“….The poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the father less.” Psalms 10:14

 “For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and the needy, and shall saver the souls of the needy.” Psalms 72:12, 13

 “I know that the lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor”. Psalms 140:12

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…” Luke 4:18

Today, our society is riddled with injustice, poverty and heartbreak. Marginalized deprived and criminalized people are everywhere. There are many broken families with rejectedchildren. Low incomes, insufficient food, clothing, those addicted to drugs, alcohol, gamblingare often in great need. Depression is commonplace. Some people are born in poverty and never escape. Others, through bad decisions and seductive offers of credit get into huge debts.

We must be ready to share and bring the justice of Gods kingdom into our church.Reach the poor of every kind, Show love to rejected people groups. Our doors must stay open to all, other wise we would quickly become those who live in Ivory towers.Sadly, today many peoples view of a church is that it is made up of rich people gathering to observe some sort of ritual. They eventually dismiss it as irrelevant.

The uniqueness of being Gods’ people is that it eclipses all thenatural culture ofambition, status, race or class divisions.

As a writer said,” In the 21st century, my definition of poverty is that it means thosewho have no opportunity to escape the inevitable degradation of powerlessness”.

What is the likely result of helping the Poor?

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again”.Proverbs 19:17

 “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor”. Proverbs 22:9

 “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him……Jeremiah 22:16

“He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousnessremaineth for ever”. 2Corinthians 9:11

The consequences of turning a blind eye towards the Poor.

“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor”.  Proverbs 14:31

 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

 “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shallhave many a curse.  Proverbs 28:27

 “Only they would that we should remember the Poor: the same which I also was forward to do” Galatians 2:10

Jesus taught that if you wanted his kingdom, you’d have to get rid of everything else first.

Matthews 13:44, Luke 14:33

Paul warns us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

1Timothy 6:10

Scandalously, Paul’s words are often quoted by Christians for the wrong reasons. They use Paul to defend themselves against Jesus.” We must not love money”, they say, “but we will still have plenty”. Jesus hammer- like put it this way; "you will either love god or hate money, or else theother way around. You choose”. Jesus said that if you love God you will hate Money! This is less often quoted by Christians. Most Christians guiltily deny that they love their money and make up pretty excuses.”It’s alright to possess money, just don’tlet it possess you”. But Jesus says” Get rid of it”.

 Money keeps two thirds of the world in poverty for a fat minority. Money causes murder, divorce, slander, selfishness. Money drives people to an earlygrave, promising happiness it never gives. Money brings out the ugly in people. Money kills. And you love it,don’t you?

Stop ignoring Jesus. Why sing songs that which decorates Him with titles whiledesecrating large sections of what He taught? The Church in Acts, with its sharing of money, shows us the teachings off Jesus in actual practice.

Acts 4:32-35

Money is “laid at the apostles’ feet” and channeled into the justice of providing for the needy in the community. It is surrendered for the sake of the gospel”.Mark 10:29

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 2009

Our Director Ronald D Ernest was in Bellary city, Karnataka, India for the Christmas. The Christmas worship at Shalom Church was really spirit filled and the Founder-Pastor of the Church ,Pastor S.Prabhakar, delivered the message of Hope and Salvation for mankind, and the importance of Christmas in our lives. There was inspiring worship and praise.

It is really heartening to see the burden and desire of our dear brother Pastor S.Prabhakar, who is striving to reach the lost, especially the underprivileged people in this belt.His Ministry is really touching and there is an immediate need for resources for further strengthening his ministry.Please pray for him and his ministry.

PASTOR S.PRABHAKAR delivering the Christmas Message

CHRISTMAS AT SHALOM CHURCH

Ronald D Ernest seen here at the foothills of Nallamalla Forest, a thick dense forest in Andhra Pradesh