Right or Wrong? Childhood mortality rates

Ziba prizes her daughter Asiah's immunization card at Karokh clinic in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has the worst infant and maternal mortality rates across all of Asia. (Photo: World Vision)

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I heard someone say our sensitivity to global childhood mortality reflects our Christian character. What does that mean?

Your question may illustrate the old adage, “Out of sight; out of mind.” I wonder how many people realize almost 19,000 children under the age of 5 died every day in 2011, the year with he latest figures available. This amount—almost 6.9 million annually—has fallen from 12 million in 1990.

One of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations is to reduce infant mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. Predictions suggest hat the target will be reached in some regions, but not in others, such as Southern Asian and Sub-Saharan Africa. Progress can be celebrated, but the overwhelming numbers still dying daily can be demoralizing.

Some progress

Childhood deaths have been lowered in recent years because of the reduction of childhood diseases, such as measles, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. These and other diseases can be reduced substantially by affordable actions and provisions as immunizations, basic health care and safe drinking water.

Multiple nongovernmental agencies have partnered with governments to help reduce disease and death: Compassion International, Childfund International, formerly Christian Children’s Fund and World Vision.

Several of these organizations televise pleas to support children in areas of poverty for around $30 per month. That their ads can bring tears to our eyes or prompt us to change channels raises the question of our Christian character. Most of us, I think, understand the plight of the children in our world. We remember Jesus blessed children during his earthly ministry. But do we recognize we are part of a global community and we bear some responsibility for the plight of children?

Jesus indicated the importance of spreading good news to all people. Other specific texts could be referenced, but the entire body of Scripture highlights God created and loves all the world and expects us to care for others. I find Micah 6:8 an excellent reference to summarize our responsibility: “He has told you, O man, what is good; / And what does the LORD require of you / But to do justice, to love kindness, / And to walk humbly with your God?”

Choose to be like Christ


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While Christian character is more than our response to a TV commercial, that response may be indicative of our character. Character is formed from our habitual actions to be like Christ—choosing right over wrong, good over evil.

The enormity of the problem of global childhood mortality may demoralize us to the point of inaction. A generous character, encouraged by Christian hope, spurs us to address the issue. You may send money and/or encourage others in your churches to do likewise. You may lead your church in becoming more aware of the issue, so that funds can be raised to improve the health of children.

You may make direct contact through mission action projects with members of your congregation. You could work with international groups that address children’s issues. Any and all of these provide a way for one’s Christian character to be identified and applied.

 

David Morgan, pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

Harker Heights, Texas

 

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to [email protected].


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