CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY

I had the privilege of contributing yesterday at the staff conference of Christians Against Poverty. www.capuk.org. It is a long time since I have been so inspired by a group of people.

I'll let you visit their website to see the full extent of what CAP get up to, but in summary it involves helping people be freed from the chains of debt. Their money course and counselling teach simple budgeting, encourages good decision making, and much more. Co-operative and mutual principles inform this work and their practical help. The transformation that you can see in their clients is incredible.

They have only been in existence for 15 years, but already they have seen 45,000 people lifted out of debt. I watched as person after person shared how their family were now back on an even keel, with new hope and purpose, after the intervention of CAP's staff. People who felt excluded had found a home, People who were simply full of shame could now walk around their neighbourhoods. People who had no community had found a community in their local church.

CAP began in 1996 when John Kirkby, armed with a £10 donation, started to help people in his local community who were trapped in debt. The charity is now a fast-paced, growing organisation whose vision is to answer the national problem of debt in the UK by having at least one CAP centre operating in every major town and city by the year 2015.

There are now 150 CAP centres around the UK, utilising the passion of local churches to see justice done, but centrally providing expertise and resource. You can't help come to the conclusion that this is a genuine movement, I also saw how this movement is fuelled. It is fuelled by a God-given passion for people. The CAP staff care about the whole of someone's life, not just their financial situation. This care has a huge impact on the clients. who have often never known someone take an interest in their lives.

I'll let these people speak for themselves...

"It took me about four weeks to phone CAP after finding the leaflet. I wish I had done it much earlier. When my caseworker came round she was so friendly. I was able to give her all the paperwork, she took it all away and said 'dont worry it will get sorted out'. For the first time in seven years I dont mind the postman putting post in my door. I am a year into my CAP Account and I now manage to have food on the table and sometimes a little cash for social events with friends."
Jason, Bracknell

"I had got into debt during a long term relationship, and thought that I could buy love and affection. By the time I realised how much debt I was in, I was in total despair. My CAP caseworker was really friendly and totally non-judgemental, and nothing was a bother for her. CAP took away all my worries in one go – I feel like a different person. I now know exactly how much I can spend each month, and last Christmas was the best I have had in many years, as I was free from worry. In my opinion, your service is second to none. Thank you to everyone from CAP for returning my life to normal. I can now sleep at night without worrying about bailiffs knocking at the door. I cannot put into words the help that you gave me. Thank you."
John, Teeside

"I too was in debt and could see no way out. I was suicidal but CAP showed me it was possible to get out of debt and be stress free. Thanks CAP for all that you do, you are truly a blessing."
Ian, Edinburgh

They are a shining example of Christians speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. They are simply loving people. They are a shining example of Christians who refuse the easy answers of EITHER/OR spirituality. For them it is BOTH/AND - solid practical help, pursuing social justice, while also sharing the faith (when appropriate), that has inspired them to care and to serve some of the UK's poorest people. They are also praying for miraculous shifts in peoples' circumstances, and these are happening. They know and they have seen in many cases that sustainable transformation is HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION, both external and internal. They have seen Christian faith be the key to releasing many people from the mindsets and lies that have held them captive and in debt. It was a privilege to celebrate with so many people experiencing new freedom.

Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

As CSM continues to campaign on micro and macro-economic issues of debt, it is wonderful to see the local church so engaged. Some of the workers are realising the need to also get political, starting to get involved with CSM.

Things are moving.

Andy Flannagan, 04/03/2011