The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund

PRESS RELEASE

February 27 2009

At-risk children expert has message for Kiwis

A leading expert in helping the at-risk children in the developing world, Patrick McDonald, is headed to New Zealand with an important message for Kiwis

Patrick McDonald is a leading global figure within Christian work among children at risk, said TEAR Fund events manager Andrew Robinson.

“Patrick is in the unique position of see the impact the church is having on children around the world; what it is doing well and what it isn’t doing well. He will share inspiring stories about the amazing possibilities available when we invest in the lives of at-risk and impoverished children, especially when the church and faith-based organisations work together effectively.”

Patrick McDonald’s Profile

Having dabbled in freelance journalism and photography and worked during his youth as an ornithologist (Copenhagen), he found his passion while serving with a street children project in Bolivia.

Travelling through Latin-America, Patrick saw the same scenes repeated over and over again; children without hope and Christian care workers overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Patrick became convinced that the best way to impact the lives of these children was to help those working with them.

What resulted was the VIVA network; a network of Christian churches and ministries working together to provide a coordinated response to the plight of children in need. This network which Patrick founded in the mid-1990s is now connecting over 4000 churches and ministries together, pooling their skills, experiences and resources, and helping to deliver the best possible care to nearly 2 million children.

Patrick has travelled widely in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe in an effort to bring unity and create networks of organisations whose aim is to help children at risk. A respected writer and speaker, Patrick who hails from Denmark, now lives in Oxford with his wife and three sons and attends St Aldates Anglican Church.

“TEAR Fund is proud to be involved with the VIVA network and we are thrilled to be hosting Patrick on his visit to New Zealand. Patrick is uniquely placed to see how the Church around the world is responding to God’s Heart for the ‘least of these’ and we hope many will be inspired and encouraged by the insights Patrick can share with us,” says Mr Robinson.

Patrick will speak alongside African group The Sowers on March 5-7

*Auckland: 7.30pm, Thursday 5th March, Windsor Park Baptist, 550 East Coast Bays Road, Mairangi Bay
*Tauranga: 7.30pm, Friday 6th March, Bethlehem Baptist Church, 90 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem.
* Hamilton: 7.30pm, Saturday 7th March, Hamilton Central Baptist, 33 Charlemont Street, Hamilton.
Auckland: 9.30am and 11.15am Sunday 8th March, St Aidan's Anglican Church
7pm: at St Georges Anglican Church in Epsom.

Ends

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