--- title: "Launch Day: Coalition of Christian Voices Against Poverty in Northern Ireland" date: 2024-02-20T12:57:00+00:00 author: Lisa Barr canonical_url: "https://staging.eauk.org/news-and-views/launch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland" section: Articles --- Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Launch%20Day%3A%20Coalition%20of%20Christian%20Voices%20Against%20Poverty%20in%20Northern%20Ireland&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?app_id=1769260916495219&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland&link=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland&display=popup) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) Copy link to this article Share this article Launch Day: Coalition of Christian Voices Against Poverty in Northern Ireland 2 min read Contents Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Launch%20Day%3A%20Coalition%20of%20Christian%20Voices%20Against%20Poverty%20in%20Northern%20Ireland&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Flaunch-day-coalition-of-christian-voices-against-poverty-in-northern-ireland) Copy link to this article Share this article Back to top In this article #### Meeting in the new Emmanuel Church building with big windows looking out to bright blue skies, and with the news that morning that the Northern Ireland Assembly was to return to Stormont, there was an expectant buzz in the room. Everyone was keen to be part of a network of Christians that cares about the impact of poverty in our communities and to join together in building a unified Christian voice against poverty in Northern Ireland. Over the past 18 months, we have gathered together leaders from a broad range of Christian churches and organisations to collaborate and address poverty’s impact on local communities. Our efforts include engaging with political representatives, expressing concerns to the NI Secretary of State about damaging budget cuts and supporting events like the Cliff Edge Coalition Stormont event in September 2022. The panel of experts on launch day challenged us on the theme ​‘Beyond Benevolence: Reawakening a Call For Common Good’. Lynda Gould, project co-ordinator for faith-based engagement, NICVA, explored the question, ​‘When can helping hurt?’ Rev Brian Anderson, mission superintendent at East Belfast Mission, discussed the role of Christians in promoting the common good for society, and our invited guests from the Cliff Edge Coalition, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick and Sarah Corrigan, provided an overview on the topic of the ​‘State of the Nation’, and their key campaign policy asks. As I said on the day: ​“Everyone is keen to be part of a network of Christians that cares about the impact of poverty in our communities and to join together in building a unified Christian voice against poverty in Northern Ireland. God has a plan to put things right and it’s not right that children should go to bed hungry at night, but this is our chance to play our part in God’s plan to put things right. However, it’s hard to make a difference when you have your head down working hard to help people in your local community. I believe we are stronger together and can achieve so much more as a group and this coalition allows us to do that.” If you are interested in joining the coalition then get in touch with Danielle to find out more. [D.​mcelhinney@​eauk.​org](mailto:D.mcelhinney@eauk.org). Your reading Count on · turn off 0 You’ve read 0 articles in the last year. Behind what you’re reading is a movement of churches, organisations and individuals standing together. Join us and add your voice to the church being heard where it matters most. [Become a member](/membership/become-a-member/individuals/join-us) Privacy settings *›* Your article count is off. Nothing is being recorded on this device. Turn it back on --- ### About Danielle McElhinney ![]() Danielle served as the Public Policy Officer for the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland between 2021 and 2024. Her heart is to inspire Christians in Northern Ireland to live out the gospel by actively serving in their communities and contributing to a flourishing society. Danielle is passionate about seeing God at work through justice, renewal, and compassionate action in Jesus' name especially in tackling poverty and it's effects on communities across Northern Ireland. 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