Rick Warren Urges Church and Public to Fight International Poverty in Senate Speech

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: May 08, 2015

Rick Warren Urges Church and Public to Fight International Poverty in Senate Speech

Megachurch pastor Rick Warren spoke at the Senate hearing on Global Health Problems this week, urging the church, public and private sectors to collaborate to fight international poverty. 

Using a three-legged stool as an analogy, Warren said that it is not enough for public and private sectors to aid poverty-stricken nations. The faith sector must also get involved, as it dwarfs the other two. 

The pastor of Saddleback Church also said that it makes sense to give aid, especially medical aid to poor countries because it is a way to make friends. 

“When we make friends like that by saving lives, potential enemies are turned into grateful allies. If somebody saves your life, you have zero desire to terrorize them,” Warren said. 

He continued that Christians have been giving aid for two thousand years and it would be unwise to stop, Relevant reports. 

“The Church invented the hospital. And if we’re going to absolutely eradicate these diseases, we’ve got to do a combination of the public sector, the private sector and the faith sector: The three legs of the stool,” he said. 

“Proverbs 3:27 in the Bible tells us it’s morally wrong to withhold assistance from those who need it when we have it in our power to help them.” 

Publication date: May 8, 2015



Rick Warren Urges Church and Public to Fight International Poverty in Senate Speech