Suggestions for Community Involvement

8/9/2019 Suggestions for Community Involvement

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SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

All Focus on the Family resources may be requested by calling call our toll free number 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-

6459), or by visiting our Family Store at www.family.christianbook.com. You may also be interested in the content

posted on our website at www.focusonthefamily.com.

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 8605 EXPLORER DRIVE COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920 719/531-5181

19946 80A AVENUE LANGLEY, BC V2Y 0J8 604/455-7900

www.focusonthefamily.com www.focusonthefamily.ca

RL021 REVISED 4-4-2014

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Strengthen your Christian worldview by studying the issues. CitizenLink [www.citizenlink.com] provides solid information andnews from a pro-family perspective, and you can sign up for CitizenLink ’s daily e-mail update[www.citizenlink.com/subscribe].

• Subscribe to Citizen magazine, a publication on issues affecting the family [www.citizenlink.com/citizen-magazine].

GENERAL INVOLVEMENT

• Write to your city, state, or federal representatives about legislation or issues affecting traditional values and religious freedom.You can access the names and addresses of your state and federal elected officials through CitizenLink’s Action Center[www.kintera.org/c.ewKYLiO2LsKeF/b.7798745/k.8C44/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionCenter].

• Pray regularly for the Focus on the Family and CitizenLink staff, pro-family and pro-life organizations in your state, and yourelected leaders.

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

• Volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or retirement home.

• Lead a small group through Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project®

, a DVD-based curriculum featuring 12 lessons on therelevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in all areas of life [www.thetruthproject.org].

• Support the efforts of our state-based family policy councils [www.citizenlink.com/state-groups].

POLITICAL ACTION

• Determine candidates’ positions on pro-family issues and let them know the rationale behind your vote.

• Sponsor a voter registration drive at your church. Make sure you are registered to vote and encourage others to do the same.Read “Constitutional Protections for Pastors” for information on how federal law and IRS codes apply to churches and pastors[www.media.citizenlink.com/pdfs/PastorsGuidelines_summary.pdf].

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

• Start a marriage-strengthening class or small group at your church. For materials, check out our online resource list[http://media.focusonthefamily.com/topicinfo/marriage_resources_for_churches.pdf].

• Organize and/or participate in a support group for stay-at-home parents where you can exchange parenting ideas, money-savingtips, and babysitting hours. Visit the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) website for more ideas [www.mops.org].

http://www.citizenlink.com/



http://www.citizenlink.com/subscribe



http://www.citizenlink.com/citizen-magazine/



https://www.kintera.org/c.ewKYLiO2LsKeF/b.7798745/k.8C44/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionCenter.aspx



http://www.thetruthproject.org/



http://www.citizenlink.com/state-groups/



http://media.citizenlink.com/pdfs/PastorsGuidelines_summary.pdf



http://media.focusonthefamily.com/topicinfo/marriage_resources_for_churches.pdf



http://www.mops.org/














SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT…Page 2

PORNOGRAPHY

• Form a community action group to fight pornography or participate in an existing group. Contact Pure Hope at 513-521-6227 orvisit their website [www.purehope.net].

PRO-LIFE: ABORTION

• Prayerfully consider how you can minister to women in your area who are seeking abortions. Support your local pregnancycenter financially, and volunteer your time. To find the center nearest you, look in the Yellow Pages under “AbortionAlternatives” or visit OptionLine’s website [www.optionline.org].

PRO-LIFE: PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE/EUTHANASIA

• Oppose attempts to legalize physician-assisted suicide in your state, either through a bill at the state legislature or a ballotinitiative.

• Visit CitizenLink’s “Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide” Web page [www.citizenlink.com/2010/07/physician-assisted-suicide-and-euthanasia-2] for more information on these issues.

• Volunteer at your local hospice (or AIDS support group) to provide compassionate care.

EDUCATION

• Run for your local school board or volunteer for curriculum review committees.

• Talk to your church youth group and college class about the importance of sexual abstinence until marriage. BrowseCitizenLink’s “Abstinence Policy” Web page [www.citizenlink.com/analysis/sexuality/abstinence-education] and AbstinenceClearinghouse’s website [www.abstinence.net].

HOMOSEXUALITY

• Check out CitizenLink’s Web page on homosexuality [www.citizenlink.com/analysis/sexuality/homosexuality-and-gender-issues].

BOOKS

THE ART OF NEIGHBORING: BUILDING GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS STARTS RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR by Jay

Pathak and Dave Runyon (Baker) 014598

Exploring God’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), Pathak and Runyon offer practical ideas to reach out to

those around us — taking into account healthy fears, appropriate boundaries, and right motives.

FINDING CALCUTTA by Mary Poplin (IVP) 834723

Poplin had only been a Christian for three years when she traveled to India to work with Mother Theresa. Here she shares all

she learned about service, humility, compassion, and spirituality — and how her experience has shaped her life and work.

GENEROUS JUSTICE: FINDING GRACE IN GOD THROUGH PRACTICING JUSTICE by Dr. Timothy Keller (Dutton Adult)951901

Thoughtful and challenging, Keller’s guide helps seekers and lifelong Christians understand that God’s justice for the poor

and marginalized is central to His command to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

I BEAT THE ODDS: FROM HOMELESSNESS TO THE BLIND SIDE AND BEYOND by Michael Oher with Don Yeager

(Penguin Putman) 406128

Reflecting on his journey from a homeless child to an NFL star, Oher talks about the goals he set for himself to break out of his

family’s cycle of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness. With his adoptive family and other influential people in mind, he

describes the necessity of seeking out positive role models and good friends who share the same values.

http://www.purehope.net/home.asp



http://www.optionline.org/



http://www.citizenlink.com/2010/07/physician-assisted-suicide-and-euthanasia-2/




http://www.citizenlink.com/analysis/sexuality/abstinence-education/



http://www.abstinence.net/



http://www.citizenlink.com/analysis/sexuality/homosexuality-and-gender-issues/




http://family.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?sku=014598























MERCY RISING: SIMPLE WAYS TO PRACTICE JUSTICE AND COMPASSION by Amber Robinson (Beacon Hill) 124974

Filled with helpful hints, inspirational insights, and biblical wisdom, Mercy Rising helps busy women make wise choices

regarding the practice of justice and compassion in their personal lives.

THE NEXT CHRISTIANS: SEVEN WAYS YOU CAN LIVE THE GOSPEL AND RESTORE THE WORLD by Gabe Lyons

(Multnomah) 529853

Lyons encourages readers to be “restorers” — believers who stand for truth while engaging others with grace and love. Learn

to live a faithful life that credibly reflects Christ.SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (Thomas Nelson) 919107

Moore was a homeless man who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery, and Hall was an upscale art dealer. It seemed

unlikely they’d ever meet, much less become friends. But when Hall’s wife was diagnosed with cancer and charged Hall to

help Moore, the two men formed an extraordinary bond that changed them both forever.

SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE: ADVENTURES IN LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR by Margot Starbuck (IVP Books)

838172

With humorous and insightful stories from her own life, Starbuck will open your eyes to the people around you — and the

huge impact you can have on them through even the smallest acts of love and care.

UNDER THE OVERPASS by Mike Yankoski (Multnomah) 524020

Needing to know if his faith in God was genuine apart from a comfortable existence, Yankoski and a friend chose to leave

their upper-middle class lifestyle to live as homeless men. For five months they experienced life on the streets in Washington,

D.C., Denver, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego. Their journey became a passport to the unknown — and a

supreme test of their faith.

WHEN INVISIBLE CHILDREN SING by Dr. Chi Huang with Irwin Tang (SaltRiver) 306164

What began as a simple year off from medical school to work in Bolivia changed Huang forever as he discovered the broken

lives of orphans and street children there. To reach their hearts, he was forced to confront his past and reexamine his future —

and learn to live a Christ-like existence of selflessness.

WRAPPING AROUND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES (Focus on the Family booklet) 5011470

There are many ways to minister God’s love to orphans — and to the adoptive families that have welcomed these children

home. This booklet guides those who may not be called to adopt but who want to help orphans and play a role in the adoption

process.

CDs

ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY®: A DATE WITH DAD #46 973461

This album includes “A Time for Action.” Grady’s family is the recipient of an Adopt-A-Family box. But Grady convinces his

mom to give their gifts to the homeless man in the park.

ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY®: INTO THE LIGHT #47 74464

“The Chosen One” is included. Having run away from home, Kelly arrives at Whit’s End. She’s placed in a foster home, but

after praying and talking about it, the Washington family agrees to bring Kelly into their home.

ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY®: OUT OF CONTROL #40 72087

This album includes “The Case of the Disappearing Hortons.” Liz admits that her father lost his job, so the family has been

living in their car and using the park restrooms.

“Becoming a Mom with a Mission” (Helen Lee) 1000768

Lee encourages moms to consider how they can advance God’s Kingdom beyond the walls of their home — how to parent

their children with the goal that they will become disciples of Christ, so they can then make disciples of others.

“Becoming the Widow’s Advocate” (Herb Reese, Robert Jenner, Ryan Dunn) 1000721

When Reese discovered that a young widow in his church cried herself to sleep on the living room floor every night, he was

inspired to start New Commandment Men’s Ministry — a nationwide organization that encourages and trains men in long-

term care for widows and single moms.




















































RESOURCE LISTS

Social Issues RL008 Complimentary

Summer Missions for Teens RL063 Complimentary

REFERRALS

African Children’s Choir

Music for Life Institute

P.O. Box 29690

Bellingham, WA 98228

877/532-8651 — Phone

www.africanchildrenschoir.com — Website

This touring children’s choir raises money to support educational and humanitarian programs across East and South

Africa, changing the lives of thousands of Africa’s most vulnerable children.

Association of Gospel Rescue Missions7222 Commerce Center Drive, Suite 120

Colorado Springs, CO 80919

800/473-7283 — Phone

www.agrm.org — Website

This organization promotes fellowship among — and provides services to — local rescue missions and ministries.

Bethel Bible Village

3001 Hamill Road

Hixson, TN 37343

423/842-5757 — Phone

www.bbv.org — Website

This outreach ministers to children of families in crisis — whether families are facing illness, divorce, economic downturn,

incarceration, institutionalization, addiction, abandonment, or other difficulty.

Dale House

7 West Dale Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

719/471-0642 — Phone

www.facebook.com/dalehouseproject — Facebook Page

Dale House (a project composed of four residences in Colorado Springs, Colorado) reaches out to delinquent, neglected,

and abused teens who can’t return home. Within the context of community living, they’re taught skills for independent living.

Door of Hope

P.O. Box 90455

Pasadena, CA 91109

626/304-9130 — Phone

www.doorofhope.us — Website

Door of Hope helps return homeless families to productive lives in society through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

http://media.focusonthefamily.com/topicinfo/social_issues.pdf


http://media.focusonthefamily.com/topicinfo/summer_missions_for_teens.pdf


http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/


http://www.agrm.org/


http://www.bbv.org/

http://www.bbv.org/

https://www.facebook.com/dalehouseproject


http://www.doorofhope.us/




http://www.bbv.org/








Emmaus Ministries

921 West Wilson Avenue

Chicago, IL 60640

773/334-6063 — Phone

www.streets.org — Website

Through evangelism and education, this ministry provides hope in Christ and makes Jesus known to men involved in

sexual exploitation, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

Habitat for Humanity

121 Habitat Street

Americus, GA 31709

800/422-4828 — Phone

www.habitat.org — Website

Seeking to eliminate poverty housing, this outreach builds and rehabilitates homes.

Holt International Children’s Services

P.O. Box 2880

Eugene, OR 97402

888/355-4658 — Phone

www.holtintl.org — Website

This organization is a world leader in international adoption and child welfare programs and is dedicated to carrying out

God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family.

National Alliance to End Homelessness

1518 K Street Northwest, Suite 410

Washington, D.C. 20005

202/638-1526 — Phone

www.endhomelessness.org — Website

This federal advocacy organization offers information about homelessness — the issues and policies involved, potential

solutions, and how you can take action.

Trevor’s Campaign for the Homeless

761 West Sproul Road, #123

Springfield, PA 19064

610/408-8500 — Phonewww.trevorscampaign.org — Website

This organization provides shelter for the homeless while offering counseling and training for more productive lives.

Referrals to secular organizations dealing with specialized areas of knowledge shouldn’t be read as an indication that their stances necessarily align with Focus on the Family’s perspective in all

areas.

http://www.streets.org/


http://www.habitat.org/


http://www.holtintl.org/


http://www.endhomelessness.org/


http://www.trevorscampaign.org/







Documents

Suggestions for Community Involvement