Giving as any has need – PresAid
The Bible gives a photograph in words of the early church at Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-47). Their activities quickly took a lovely balance with a mix of learning from the apostles, sharing life together and looking out to the world in gospel service. Their outward look saw more people daily joining the chuch and included sharing their wealth, “… as any had need.”
All this is a model for any church.
The outward look of the Presbyterian Church of Australia includes PresAid. PresAid is the instrument through which the Presbyterian Church of Australia directs funds for aid and development to like-minded Presbyterian and Reformed denominations in developing countries throughout the world.
There are many stories behind those words. In a rather short period of time, PresAid has distributed over $AUD2 million to needy Christian causes on a global scale. You can read some of the stories here: https://presaid.org.au/presaid-projects. Distinctive features of PresAid are that the funds are given in the name of Christ and that every dollar which is given goes to the field.
The heart of PresAid lies in annual Easter and Christmas appeals. The 2024 Easter appeal is focussed on helping an orphanage in Malawi and a theological college in India. You can read more about these projects, and access publicity materials at https://presaid.org.au/current-appeal/.
When approached by a beggar, the Apostle Peter truthfully replied, “I have no silver or gold.” (Acts 3:6). Australian churches are wealthy by global and historic standards. We do have silver and gold to give, as an expression of the gospel. Let’s share that as others have need.
I commend the 2024 Easter PresAid appeal to the church,
David Burke
Moderator General
11th March 2024