80 percent of Evangelicals say they support international assistance. Yet Christian conservatives failed to mobilize at the scale necessary to defend USAID.
Today, I want to share an article by Kevin Kane, Director of Christian Outreach at A4AL. Kevin has been working with pastors across the country to turn that strong polling data into real sustained pressure for global development.
You can help make the case for humanitarian aid in every congressional district at https://givebutter.com/A4AL
Faith in Action: The Christian Case for Humanitarian Assistance
By Kevin Kane
At the core of Christian advocacy for development assistance is a fundamental theological truth: every human being carries inherent dignity as an image-bearer of God. In the scripture verses Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus made clear that serving the poor, the hungry, and the stranger is equivalent to serving Him directly.
“‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”
We see examples of American churches doing their part, like Willow Creek Community Church reaching 15,000 refugees globally: delivering emergency medical and basic needs supplies to conflict and disaster zones. Saddleback Church has mobilized 26,000 church members for international relief and development projects to all 197 countries in the world, helping orphans and providing other areas of support.
American churches give between $12 billion - $13 billion toward international aid and disaster relief each year. But it’s not enough. Myal Greene, the President of World Relief, has spoken directly to the responsibility of the U.S. government to help its neighbors: “The Church has long played a role in alleviating suffering, but we cannot do it alone. Our government must uphold its commitment to protecting human dignity and aiding those in greatest need.”
When USAID was dismantled last year, faith leaders, especially those associated with progressive Christianity, responded by writing an open letter denouncing the cuts. Signers of the letter also included Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan and Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, a Trump supporter who spoke at his 2017 inauguration.
The late Rev. Billy Graham frequently spoke on the moral and spiritual obligation Christians have to help the poor and needy, both domestically and abroad, given our nation’s own problems:
“Have you ever looked into the eyes of a mother whose child is starving, or a father whose family is homeless because of war or natural disaster? If you had (as I have), I seriously doubt if you’d even be asking this question. How can we condemn them to death by refusing to help them?... Yes, many people in our nation face enormous problems today... but God loves the whole world—and so should we.”
Rev. Graham also said: “As Christians we have a responsibility toward the poor, the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the many innocent people around the world who are caught in wars, natural disasters, and situations beyond their control.”
When asked, the average American believes that 25% of our budget goes to foreign assistance. The actual amount, before the dismantling of USAID in 2025, was less than 1%. The Alliance for American Leadership believes we can do better: we are calling for 2% of our budget to fund international development and diplomacy, which would bring the level up to where it was during the Reagan administration. That’s what the Alliance for American Leadership is calling the Two Penny Pledge.
While many advocates for foreign assistance focus on the benefits to American themselves—citing the national security, soft power, and economic tool of international aid—other Americans are more compelled by the moral and ethical argument. When lives can be saved by .12 cents a day for HIV medication or for a $2 bed net, it is impossible for Christians to look away.
For those who care, there is something that can be done. Join us in the Two Penny Pledge to restore foreign assistance.
“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
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