The outline proposes a cut to the State Department and the US Agency for International Development by 28 percent, says Christianity Today. According to the news site, foreign aid currently makes up less than one percent of the national budget. Over 100 Christian leaders in the United States from various denominations and aid groups have signed a letter asking Congress to reject the proposal (see that list here).

We spoke with one of the letter’s signatories, Ted Esler. He serves as the president of Missio Nexus which operates at the crossroads of hundreds of ministry organizations and churches doing work around the world.

He says, “Missio Nexus, as a member of a Great Commission community, has quite a few organizational members that are involved in providing relief and development globally.”

Esler says if the budget were approved, it would “directly affect the ministries of quite a few different organizations.”

(Photo courtesy of Christian Aid Mission via Facebook)

And while it’s President Trump’s job to put America first, Esler says every action must be carefully considered for the far reaching implications. When we roll every issue, discussion, and situation into one category or bold-lettered cause without stipulation, we will make uninformed decisions.

For example, in this situation, foreign aid organizations and the work they do have a huge impact on how the world views the United States. Organizations like World Relief, he says, have a great global presence and are doing amazing work. The budget cuts could impact their ability to minister as effectively.

Aside from the implications when it comes to reputation, many groups are concerned that restricting foreign aid would cause us to take a step back in our efforts against poverty and starvation.

“I myself was just in South Sudan here a few weeks ago and I saw the food crisis that’s there, anywhere between four and five (and maybe even more) million people. And some of the funding from the United States helps to keep those people alive,” Esler says.

What is our response?

A major and problematic pattern highlighted in this discussion is the tendency for big ideas to engulf and influence much more complicated, delicate issues.

When asked what the Church’s response should be to some of what is taking place, Esler says this:

“Be careful not to generalize.”

In other words, make sure when you’re making up your mind about something, you don’t stop at the big idea. Esler says do as much research as you can. Go to the people who are intimately involved with the topic you’re considering.

With regards to international aid, Esler says, “I think the leaders in the evangelical community who work on these issues, they know the specifics, and that’s why they tend to be more concerned than perhaps the general populace would be.”

Secondly, Esler urges Christians to spend time in Scripture each day, asking God to help them know His heart for the oppressed, the hungry, and the hurting.

Along with this, you can be praying for those who are on the frontlines of social justice battles, especially when it comes to the work being done to spread the Gospel. Humanitarian work is both a model of Christ’s actions and a bridge to share His life-saving message to people all around the world.

You can also “adopt” a region of the world in crisis. Learn about it, keep up-to-date with what’s happening there, and pray. Ask God to make Himself known in this area. Esler says South Sudan and southern Sudan would be good places to begin.

And finally, give. Government funding cuts do not mean that independent groups will go under.

“The U.S. population is extremely generous in private donations to the kinds of programs that are similar in nature to what is going to be cut. Those private programs have done very well over the last 10-15 years. And I would just say, continue to give wholeheartedly.”

Check out some of our partners to learn how to pray, give, and go.

Now, “the least of these” need your help more than ever.

Last April, Michigan launched its Healthy Michigan Plan, which expanded the income limit for those eligible for Medicaid. It shifted state coverage expenses from Michigan to the federal government, saving the state millions of dollars. But thinking Medicaid would cover the difference, the state cut funding by more than half to services for the developmentally disabled.

Now, it’s taking a toll.

“The budget cuts that are coming now down from the state of Michigan from the top down to the different counties are just horrendous,” says Sally Gallagher with The King’s Table Ministries, an organization in Grand Rapids, Mich. that connects the disabled community to the local church. “It’s causing a huge problem. It’s already displacing some of this people group because they’re coming in, and they’re cutting their services.

“The other thing that’s a huge loss is also the day programming and the skill building that they go to during the day. Normally it’s 5 days a week or 4 days a week for this people group, but they’re coming in and cutting it right in half, where they’re only able to go out in the community one day or maybe two days a week.”

One organization that’s especially bearing the brunt of the cuts is Network180. This mental health organization in West Michigan serves more than 50,000 individuals annually. In April, it was forced to make several cuts to its staff and services, citing a $5-million “funding shortfall.”

“We will need to begin to immediately reduce services to all populations we serve,” said Scott Gilman, Network180 executive director, according to an April 7 article by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. “This is extremely challenging, because the individuals we serve have severe disabilities and/or mental illness.”

Now more than ever, Michigan’s developmentally disabled need your help. It’s also a perfect time for the body of Christ to step in. Christians can make an eternal difference in the lives of everyone involved in the disabled community–and not just in Michigan.

“It’s just a really special thing to be a part of and watch when a church takes hold of one or two group homes in their community,” Gallagher says. “And they can engage them then by inviting them back into their church, so that they have a place to go and worship and be a part of the family of God.

“When the church comes in, the spiritual aspect of this is when they invite the people from the home back into the church, they can’t go anywhere alone….” Gallagher says. “So with them will come their caregivers, their families may take them, siblings. It may be a neighbor. It’s the best opportunity for evangelism there is.”

The King’s Table isn’t active in the political realm, but it’s being a voice for those without one. Can you come alongside this organization during this desperate time? Gallagher invites you to contact her, and she will help you find ways to get involved in the developmentally disabled community. Or, follow this link to provide financial resources.