Café
- The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have To Preach
Reviewed by Hans Kristensen - Little Black Books: Science and God
Reviewed by Andrew Laird - Making the Most of the Cross
Reviewed by Lesley Hicks - Higher Ground
Reviewed by Andrew Laird
- Eternity’s new site reports from atheist convention
- We’re publishing daily news articles
- Our new home
- Coming soon a new web home for Eternity
- Ethical Investment
- Sarah’s Key - the consequences of truth
- Ben Witherington III: Jesus and Women
- Harry Potter’s Critique of Western Extravagance
- Charles Colson: Defender of the Weak, Hugger of Lepers, Friend of Sinners, Christian Intellectual
- Marketing Martyrs: Does Iranian Pastor's Theology Impact Advocacy on His Behalf?
- Should Churches Halt Missions Trips to Mexico?
- Helping Urbana Find Its Voice
- Culture Making Amid Cancer: The Choices That Suffering Makes Possible
Suffer The Little Children: Crossway
2:47pm Monday, 8th August 2011
Joshua Maule
Rather than being sent from Australia to Malaysia, 13 children seeking asylum would have the chance to be cared for by one of Australia's largest churches, Crossway Baptist in Melbourne.
Senior Pastor Dale Stephenson decided to throw out the welcome mat for the children from an "inner conviction" that it's not right to send unaccompanied minors to Malaysia.
"It's one thing to say we shouldn't [send them to Malaysia], but ultimately that still leaves the children behind barbed wire on Christmas Island."
"So I thought maybe the government needs some encouragement from the community sector."
One of Australia's largest welfare bodies, Mission Australia, has backed the suggestion which would be rolled out as quickly as possible.
Mission Australia would ensure the children received the right care, said CEO, Toby Hall.
"If the government were to agree to Crossway's offer, Mission Australia would use its expertise to support the church with developing policies and procedures to ensure the care of these children is delivered at the highest standards and with cultural sensitivity."
Crossway could not reach the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, yesterday.
But the issue is now receiving media attention and Stephenson believes it is striking a chord among Australians.
"There's two options for these children," he says. "One option is they're already orphans ... They're now in a detention centre. Option number two is their family has placed them on a boat seeking a better future for them. And so now they're separated from their family. So either option is a terrible option for these kids."
Stephenson said he'd "celebrate" other community groups making offers of care to the children. But he believes, it's not about rhetoric, but children whose welfare is compromised.
"I'm not trying to provide an exclusive option. I am seeking to provide the government with an altrnative."
the largest Christian newspaperin Australia. Get it delivered for free
Subscribe to Eternity news email
| |||||||||
