Standing with the Vulnerable: A Curriculum for Transforming Lives and Communities

"Anyone who reads the Gospels with an open mind can hardly miss the fact that the God who became a man in Jesus Christ was, and still continues to be, especially concerned for the vulnerable. Gil Odendaal provides valuable practical help to people who are really serious in their commitment to follow Jesus by standing with the vulnerable in their own situation today."

"Engaging our communities and the world with the practical love of Christ has always been the church's mandate but never an easy task to accomplish. No one is better qualified than Dr. Odendaal to reignite our vision and practice of loving God and our neighbor. It's hard to imagine a more insightful, experienced, and biblically grounded guide."

"Gil's book provides a biblical, crosscultural, and practical resource to help transform God's people to understand the whole gospel of Jesus for the whole person, helping them be an equipped church that experiences and expresses God's heart for those who are caught in vulnerable places and need a touch of God's love."

"Pastors whose hearts beat for the nations and the display of God's glory will love this insightful and practical resource to guide their churches to be better equipped in long-term transformational mission strategies and practices. Standing with the Vulnerable is a kingdom-minded resource for global-minded people. Many churches have a desire to have a global gospel footprint but lack the strategic insight to accomplish it. Gil Odendaal's love for the nations and for the church has forged a resource that is greatly helpful to both, and it will prove to be an effective resource for community transformation."

"We often feel the world's problems are so overwhelming and so distant to us that there is little we can contribute. In this great study, Dr. Gil Odendaal takes us on a journey into Scripture, into a needy world, and into our own hearts. We see that the principles we need for personal growth and transformation are the very same truths that enable us to be part of God's life-bringing mission. The material is easy to read, but don't be fooled; there is much here that draws on the best understanding of mission and development. Be transformed!"

"Through biblical reflection and compelling stories, Gil's curriculum will equip you to move into more effective compassion as you stand with the vulnerable. Using scripturally based principles with best practices in global development, this guide will help all who read it to more effectively love their neighbor. I'm thankful for Gil's leadership in integral mission and believe this will impact many."

"Gil Odendaal is a leader, an author, a pastor, and a shepherd to so many. 'Standing with the vulnerable' is arguably the best description one could make about Gil. His passion and love for the Lord shine through in so many ways, and his desire to seek and to serve are obviously evident in all he does. This Bible study will challenge you, encourage you, enhance your understanding of who the vulnerable are, and push you to further explore how best to stand in the gap with and for the least of these."

"Gil's work in Standing with the Vulnerable is fantastic. There is a significant void today for resources that help us better understand proper philosophies of engagement for global relief and development. Recent experiences have shown us so much of the damage that can be done when founded improperly, but few have come to bear the burden of a solution. Gil is masterful in this work, carefully guiding the reader through the fundamental principles while also providing the opportunity to digest the thoughts and unpack what they mean to you."

"I have been privileged to know Gil Odendaal as a friend and colleague and to observe the highly influential role he has played as an ambassador for the poor and a cutting-edge leader in the integral mission movement, within the relief and development context. He brings a rare combination of academic knowledge, practical experience, and a gracious and humble spirit. But it is his heart that impresses me the most, and that clearly comes through in all that he does. I heartily commend this book to you and feel that Gil is uniquely qualified to speak into these issues in a practical way that truly enables people to put love into action."

"Standing with the Vulnerable makes the case that poverty is more than a physical circumstance and its solution is deeper than material possessions. Spiritual poverty cannot be ignored, and we as Christ-followers have the unique opportunity—and responsibility—to bring holistic change to the world's poor. Odendaal walks us, step by step, through a plan giving us an understanding of poverty and effective action."

"Faith and obedience are never separated in the Bible. From cover to cover, Scripture underlines the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable in society. Standing with the Vulnerable is a helpful study guide that walks through the why and how and equips the reader with examples from real life situations. This is an important resource for individuals, teams, and church groups to learn from, reflect on, and respond to together. We are thrilled that Gil Odendaal and World Relief have shared this with us all."

"I highly recommend this book for any church serious about being missional in today's world. This is an incredible resource to take your congregation or group deeper in their understanding of what Jesus meant when he proclaimed 'fullness of life.' Using engaging Bible studies and real-life examples, Odendaal helps unpack the good news of the gospel in ways that will both challenge and encourage Christians to see how their faith should shape their response to the issues facing our local and global communities. I think this book will transform the way your church responds to mission."

"If you are planning to go to communities in the Global South for missional purposes, this book will help you gain a deeper understanding of the human needs there, but the change theory used throughout this study is equally applicable to the church in North America. World Relief has used it in Africa and Asia, resulting in vibrant local congregations impacting their communities in word and deed. Now you have an opportunity to experience that impact in your own life and the life of your church."

"Standing with the Vulnerable is a practical, biblical roadmap for releasing the fullness of the gospel in the lives of families and communities. The truth in this study combines thought leadership in development with the real-life experience of grassroots ministry from World Relief staff and volunteers around the world. I highly commend it to you."