1. Biblical support for the social assistance ministry
Godsays: «...be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land» (Deuteronomy 15:10-11). He promises a special reward for helping the poor (Proverbs 19:17; 22:9; 28:27). The Old Testament profets bold lyproclaimed God's commandments concerning helping the needy (Isaiah 58:7-11). Jesus came to preach the Good News to the poor and hungry (Luke 4:18-19). Even though He Himself had very little, He used to share it with those who were in need. (John13:29). He also encouraged His followers to care for the poor (Luke14:1214). The first Church used to take offerings for supporting the poor (Acts 11:27-30; 24:17; Gal. 2:10).
Our helping these people is directly proportional to our love for God. (Jacob 1:27;2:14-16; 1 John 3:16-19). For the Lord Jesus helping the poor becomes very personal: «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...» (Matthew 25:34-35).
2. The goal of Social Assistance Departament
Ahealthy church will always be responsive to the social needs around it. The Social Assistance Departament (SAD) of the Pentecostal Union of the Republic of Moldova assists the local churches and other public associations with initiating and functioning of assistance programs for the socially vulnerable categories of people in the spirit of Christ. SAD organizes a long term strategic program for regulating the most acute social problems the contemporary societyof Moldova confronts with.
In cooperation with active churches, SAD ministers to the society through numerous projects of practical intervention: introducing and distributing of humanitarian aid, providing a day care program for the risk categories of children, national adoption of abandoned children, rehabilitation of adolescences living in the streets, elderly people care, human traffic,prevention of growing the number of people infected with AIDS, rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug-addicts.
The number of people helped by SAD constantly grows, along with manifestation of interest on behalf of local churches for activity in social area. God makes the difference in the society through people, who engaged themselves to serve those who do not deserve this, but they bear His image.