ONE DAY TO CHANGE THE WORLDAlun Davies, President of ACC International, shares details about the exciting One Day to Change the World campaign.
Q: The One Day campaign is a fantastic initiative that gives Christians a very practical opportunity to help others. Tell us a bit about the concept and goals?
Alun: We are presenting to our fellowship a national missions’ campaign to generate substantial support and resource to create a powerful impact in a multitude of lives around the world. If we combine our efforts, we can make a significant difference in the lives of many people. This is the first time we have ever attempted such a significant opportunity for our fellowship to create a global impact.
We are asking our pastors to challenge the people in our churches to give one day’s salary entirely to our One Day appeal. The goal is to raise one million dollars, to be used in a wide range of projects in various parts of the world which will significantly change lives.
Q: Is the campaign related to one specific day of the year?
Alun: Churches who choose to run the campaign can conduct it on any day of the year they please. It is not limited to a single day, as we realise that church calendars are varied and churches will find different times of the year when they would be able to do One Day best. Some churches are already talking to us about doing it at Christmas and some at Easter. Many are going to do One Day on a regular Sunday as soon as they can. We would encourage as many as possible to hold a One Day before the end of this year.
With One Day being conducted on many different Sundays in the year by various churches between October and December, we see it becoming a vital part of our missions strategy providing us with greater momentum in national missions.
Q: Will One Day To Change The World become an annual event?
Alun: We want One Day to be held every year in our churches as it is a powerful and effective way to mobilise resources in our churches to enable us to have a substantial long term impact. We are already in the process of developing our campaign for 2011.
Q: Who can participate in the One Day campaign and how do they go about it?
Alun: Any church, individual, business, school or college can participate. The ACC International website [www.acc-int.org] has all the information, promotional materials and media available. We are sending packs to all churches and if anyone wants a pack, they can call the ACC International Operations Centre on 1300 997 502. We will send them the pack immediately.
Q: Is the giving tax-deductible?
Alun: Giving can be tax deductible. It is all explained in the materials that you will receive upon registration.
Q: Obviously the more local churches that support the One Day campaign, the more impact it will have. How can church leaders get involved and get the ball rolling in their congregations?
Alun: We are suggesting pastors first look at the pack, then take it to the missions people in their church. The next step would be to select a day in the next year, preferably in the next six months, and begin speaking to their congregations about this new and exciting opportunity to make a powerful impact through our unity in thousands of lives.
Q: How and where will the finance raised from the One Day campaign be distributed?
Alun: Our missionaries have significant life-changing projects ready for us to implement. We anticipate using a portion of the funds raised for Indigenous projects and communities, and we also have partners that can help us in regions where we have no presence. During the last 18 months, we have distributed over $2 million in relief projects and we know that we will use the One Day funds effectively.
Q: How are you personally planning on supporting the One Day event?
Alun: Well, obviously I am planning on giving one day’s salary to One Day and so is everyone on the ACC International team. Faith! Christian Church is planning to launch One Day immediately. I will be promoting this campaign throughout the nation in all State Conferences and at every opportunity.
I believe strongly that this is a historic opportunity for our fellowship to realise the power of partnership in creating a significant global impact. As a fellowship of churches, we can improve our presence in the world and increase the significance of our impact by uniting together around One Day To Change The World. Together we can all achieve more that any one of us can achieve on our own.