What does it look like to "love mercy" (Micah 6:8) and to "consider the poor" (Psalm 41:1)? Word & Deed business groups provide a wonderful opportunity to help feed and nourish the poor, both spiritually and physically, in countries that are full of poverty and violence. Local business owners meet together once during the year throughout Canada and the US. There are 13 different business groups that have met for the past three years. So far $1,246,000 has been raised!

At a typical business group meeting, members introduce themselves and tell about the company that they are representing and which church they attend. Rick Postma, Public Relations Director for Word & Deed, gives an update about the projects that are being supported by Word & Deed. And believe me, things are happening! It is so exciting to hear about Christian schools being built, sponsorship programs being filled, girls’ and boys’ homes, teaching centers for moms and dads, and pastors being trained and provided for. The list continues to grow. Rick stresses that we are not there to do the work for the needy but to come alongside the indigenous Christians. As he put it, we are not the foundation, because then once we leave it will crumble. Rather, Word & Deed strives to be the scaffolding.

The Niagara Business Group met on September 15 this year. Business group members Lawrence and Sharon Overbeeke once again generously hosted the meeting in their beautiful, hand-crafted barn. The large stone fireplace, rustic beams, and glass windows make for a relaxed atmosphere. Two of the group coordinators, John and Jacqueline VanGameren, organize an afternoon session for those who can fit it into their work day, as well as an evening session for those who can't attend in the day. There is a group coordinator for each church involved. The afternoon session attendees enjoyed lunch, catered by Jeanette DeVries, while learning about the different projects and, more specifically, the projects their group has sponsored in the past. In the evening another group of business owners met and enjoyed desserts while taking in Rick's presentation.

After the presentation, a business group votes for the project that they would like to support. Then the members are asked to anonymously write down the amount of money that they are willing to commit for this cause throughout the upcoming year. Our group committed to $77,000 to finish Phase 3 of John Calvin Christian School in Colombia. There is also a Girls’ Home in Colombia where abused girls (some of them so incredibly young) can take refuge. Our business group wanted to sponsor this Girls’ Home as well. Choosing a specific project to support enables business group members to say "I am part of this," as they watch a project grow and expand, or in some cases reach completion. It is wonderful to see the changing impact on the lives of those we support. What a blessing to have an organization that helps us consider the poor in an effective and godly manner.

If you are interested in joining or starting a business group please contact Word & Deed. You need not own your own business in order to join up and help make a world of difference in the lives of many precious people in the developing world.