Standing with the Vulnerable: A Curriculum for Transforming Lives and Communities

Review"Anyone who reads the Gospels with an open mind can hardly miss the fact that the God who became a man in Jesus Christ was, and still continues to be, especially concerned for the vulnerable. Gil Odendaal provides valuable practical help to people who are really serious in their commitment to follow Jesus by standing with the vulnerable in their own situation today." -- René Padilla, emeritus president, The Kairos Foundation, executive director, Ediciones Kairos"Engaging our communities and the world with the practical love of Christ has always been the church's mandate but never an easy task to accomplish. No one is better qualified than Dr. Odendaal to reignite our vision and practice of loving God and our neighbor. It's hard to imagine a more insightful, experienced, and biblically grounded guide." -- Duane Elmer, G. W. Alden Professor of International Studies (retired), Trinity International University, author, Cross-Cultural Servanthood"Gil's book provides a biblical, crosscultural, and practical resource to help transform God's people to understand the whole gospel of Jesus for the whole person, helping them be an equipped church that experiences and expresses God's heart for those who are caught in vulnerable places and need a touch of God's love." -- Timothy Ek, development officer, The LIGHT House, Lee's Summit, Missouri, former vice president, The Evangelical Covenant Church"Pastors whose hearts beat for the nations and the display of God's glory will love this insightful and practical resource to guide their churches to be better equipped in long-term transformational mission strategies and practices. Standing with the Vulnerable is a kingdom-minded resource for global-minded people. Many churches have a desire to have a global gospel footprint but lack the strategic insight to accomplish it. Gil Odendaal's love for the nations and for the church has forged a resource that is greatly helpful to both, and it will prove to be an effective resource for community transformation." -- Randy Gunter, senior pastor, MeadowBrook Baptist Church, Gadsden, AL"We often feel the world's problems are so overwhelming and so distant to us that there is little we can contribute. In this great study, Dr. Gil Odendaal takes us on a journey into Scripture, into a needy world, and into our own hearts. We see that the principles we need for personal growth and transformation are the very same truths that enable us to be part of God's life-bringing mission. The material is easy to read, but don't be fooled; there is much here that draws on the best understanding of mission and development. Be transformed!" -- Paul Bendor-Samuel, executive director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies"Through biblical reflection and compelling stories, Gil's curriculum will equip you to move into more effective compassion as you stand with the vulnerable. Using scripturally based principles with best practices in global development, this guide will help all who read it to more effectively love their neighbor. I'm thankful for Gil's leadership in integral mission and believe this will impact many." -- Peter Greer, president and CEO, HOPE International, coauthor of Mission Drift"Gil Odendaal is a leader, an author, a pastor, and a shepherd to so many. 'Standing with the vulnerable' is arguably the best description one could make about Gil. His passion and love for the Lord shine through in so many ways, and his desire to seek and to serve are obviously evident in all he does. This Bible study will challenge you, encourage you, enhance your understanding of who the vulnerable are, and push you to further explore how best to stand in the gap with and for the least of these." -- Charles D. Sands, PhD provost and vice president for academic affairs, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA"Gil's work in Standing with the Vulnerable is fantastic. There is a significant void today for resources that help us better understand proper philosophi