We've all been there. Someone who is obviously poor or homeless approaches you and asks for money. What do you do? Do you give money knowing there's a good chance it will be used on drugs or alcohol or do you say "no" or even ignore the person as you walk by? No one wants to be a sucker in these situations, but at the same time Jesus' call to help the poor echoes in our hearts and minds. Servant or Sucker? will help viewers discern appropriate, Christ-centered actions when it comes to addressing poverty on a personal or organizational level. It includes the realities of poverty such as the concepts of time, relationships, money and values; a "poverty tour"; interviews with those who are homeless or poor; interviews with those who have helped and/or have been suckered; and steps you can take to be an effective servant without getting suckered. Leaders guide included on DVD.

5 sessions include:
1. The Dilemma
2. Why Do People Beg?
3. An Individual's Response
4. Making Compassionate Decisions
5. Churches and Organizations' Response

JustFaith, a thirty-week adult educational and formational process, offers an opportunity for people of faith to embark upon a spiritual journey into compassion. Most of us long to be a generous and compassionate people. However, occasions to explore this tradition in a deliberate and engaging way have largely not been available. JustFaith provides a lively and challenging format to read, view, discuss, pray, experience and be formed by the justice tradition that changes lives, inspires faithful witness, and transforms the world through love and service. JustFaith is an extensive, conversion-based process that provides a context in which participants can grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and to become advocates for justice, and serves to strengthen the growing commitment of churches to be agents of social transformation, mercy and compassion. The JustFaith program has been offered in over nine hundred churches from a variety of denominations in thirty-seven states throughout the country.

This kit contains all the resources (23 books and videos) needed for teaching the JustFaith class. Participants will need to purchase individual copies of each book, available through Sowers Books. Videos are for in class viewing. Optimum class size is limited to 10-12 students.

For more information about the JustFaith program, visit www.justfaith.org, or email at: info@justfaith.org.

Tape 1 of 6.
Each tape is in television format. Poverty stands as a way of life for the vast majority of the world's population. Discover how the Bible describes God as holding a special preference for the poor and downtrodden. Kathleen LaCamara and Dr. David Otto are hosts.

This video focuses on the chronic poverty endured by more than 13 million children in this country and exposes hidden pockets of poverty wherein children hide. Poverty is now unraveling the lives of the working poor and their families. But the program also sheds some light on solutions to this situation in its equally moving portrayal of those in church and community organizations - such as Denver's Warren Village and a UM-related project in Louisiana - who are reaching out to give children a future. And we realize that the long-range solution lies in the conscience of a country that needs to be stirred beyond shame to action.