23May 2011 by Nigel Ring

Development Studies from a Christian perspective – pt 2 – Becoming contributors to Mission

Christian ministry, Development, Equipping, Poor
Having explored some of the definitions of ‘Development' and ‘the Poor' in the last blog we will now look at some of the differences between the world's and church-based models. First, I would like to look at a variant of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of need. Maslow's pyramid of need Maslow was a psychologist who developed a theory of how our actions are determined by our physical and emotional states. In his pyramid he has five levels of need: 1. The physiological needs - food, water etc 2. The safety and security needs - protection including housing 3. The love and belonging needs - the need for belonging in a community 4. The esteem needs - personal recognition by the community 5. Self actualisation - to be what you are meant…
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17May 2011 by Nigel Ring

Development Studies – Christian cf Secular pt 1

Development, Equipping, Poor
Recently I gathered the students from my church, Church of Christ the King in Brighton, UK, who were taking degrees or modules in Development Studies from the local universities. I had become aware that these courses, being secular in nature, tend to discourage our students by having little place for the spiritual dimension of mankind. And yet, if true transformation is going to take place - which must be one of the major goals of any development programme - it is important to address the ‘inner man' not just the outward circumstances. Understandably, secular courses do not make room for such a consideration. What is Development? We began the evening by asking the question ‘What is Development?' On a flip-chart I was able to write contributions from them such as…
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06May 2011 by Nigel Ring

Visit to Guinea, West Africa

International, News, Poor, To the Nations
I have recently returned from Guinea in West Africa where I have been visiting the church in the capital, Conakry, which was planted over ten years ago with refugees from the Sierra Leone civil war. Guinea is a very poor nation. Let me give you some of the bare facts: Population: 10 million, 2 million being in Conakry. Four primary tribes, 32 tribes in total. Health. Life expectancy high 40s. Poor health provision. No provision for disabled children etc. HIV levels unknown but growing. Bird flu wiped out all poultry recently but no profile given to bird flu. How many people died? Poverty. In bottom ten of UN poverty scale. High inflation - prices have doubled in the last four months. More than 80% of population live on less than…
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25Apr 2011 by Nigel Ring

Resistance Fighter – Book Recommendation

Books, Christian ministry, Cross-culture, HIV, International, News, Poor, Zimbabwe
Resistance Fighter has just been published and is a read-at-one-sitting book. For me it turned the tedium of a flight from UK to West Africa into an enjoyable, challenging, emotional and disturbing experience as Susie Howe took me from the joys of playing with lively orphaned children in Zimbabwe to the horrors of learning of children accused of witchcraft in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Susie's autobiographical record of her life (how much she has packed in already!) recounts how she has sought to walk close to God in obedience as He has taken her and her husband Jeremy on a number of unexpected excursions into situations that most of us have never experienced nor even dreamed existed. Starting with her childhood she tells of growing up as a talented…
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31Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya drought – Interview with Edward Buria

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The drought and resulting severe shortage of food and water in Kenya continues to be extremely serious. Edward Buria and his team are going several times each week to Samburu with water and to bring encouragement to those who are suffering. Recently I was able to interview Edward about the situation. I hope that this video will help you pray more effectively. Perhaps you would consider showing it in your church? Kenya Drought Crisis 2011 from Newfrontiers on Vimeo. If you wish to make a donation to the Appeal fund you can do this on line or by sending a cheque payable to Newfrontiers and designated 'Kenya Crisis Fund' to: The Finance Team ‘Newfrontiers’ The Matrix Complex 91 Peterborough Road London SW6 3BU Please let us know if you are…
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