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March is International Women’s Month and the Global Women Group from Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio chose to celebrate by hosting a Good News Goods Fair Trade Market, which creates a missional avenue for church members to connect to and purchase from people in the developing world who are making what we buy, especially women and children, who are the most vulnerable victims of extreme poverty conditions such as forced labor, abuse, disease, and human trafficking.

The market was a huge success, and the excitement that filled the air was infectious and glorious.  It was an honor to witness a church, led by a group of faithful women, take part in Jesus’ mission to restore creation and redeem the image of God in all people through simple Fair Trade purchases.

When I asked Dena Dalton (one of the Global Women leaders from Woodland Baptist) to tell me about her Fair Trade Market experience, she said, “Talk about refreshing! I truly believe that our response to missions should never be static. As Christians we should always be mindful of the constantly changing political and economic dynamics in our world. Attention to what drives these dynamics brings us much closer to fulfilling our missional calling. Our call to missions should always be vigorous, purposeful, and energetic. Thank you for bringing Good News Goods to Woodland. What a wonderful way to introduce congregations to the far reaching implications of fair trade. Seeing the faces behind Good News Goods brings the issues of abuse, hunger, human trafficking and slavery to the front of our conscious. Our dollars make a powerful impact and so do you!”

St. Francis of Assissi said “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”  This quote holds so much power for me because I believe that as Christians and co-partners with Jesus Christ, we are constantly preaching the gospel (or not) by our lifestyles—our everyday words and actions, intentional or not.    To paraphrase N.T. Wright in his book Simply Christian, when we receive the Holy Spirit, our bodies become the Temple of God—the place where heaven and earth intersects!    Therefore, everything we say and do is a spiritual and ethical decision that reflects who we are as image bearers of God, and as His active agents in this world.  This includes how we shop and what we buy.

When churches (and individuals) commit to making ethical, life-giving purchases, entire families and communities in the developing world can begin to experience a taste of God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”.

For additional information about Good News Goods or to sign up your church for one of our Fair Trade ministries, visit www.goodnewsgoods.com or contact charlotte.bumbulis@texasbaptists.org.

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