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Christian Connections
for International Health
This publication was produced by Christian
Connections for International Health, agreement
number APC-GM-0065, through Advancing Partners
agreement funded by U.S. Agency for International
Development Under Agreement No. AID-
OAA-A-12-00047, beginning October 1, 2012.
Advancing Partners & Communities (APC) is
implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.,
in collaboration with FHI 360. The project focuses on
advancing and supporting community programs that
seek to improve the overall health of communities
and achieve other health-related impacts, especially
in relationship to family planning. APC provides
global leadership for community-based programming,
executes and manages small- and medium-sized sub-
awards, supports procurement reform by preparing
awards for execution by the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID), and builds
technical capacity of organizations to implement
effective programs. Learn more about APC at
advancingpartners.org.
Thank you to the Planning Committee:
Marta Pirzadeh of Advancing Partners &
Communities, Sonya Funna of Adventist Development
and Relief Agency, Mona Bormet and Maddie Orange
of Christian Connections for International Health,
Susan Duberstein of IMA World Health, Lisa Firth
of The United Methodist Church General Board of
Church and Society, Debbie Dortzbach of World
Relief, Susan Otchere of World Vision and Dr.
Douglas Huber and Anne Wilson, co-chairs of the FP/
RH Working Group of Christian Connections for
International Health.
A Note from the Planning Committee:
The information in this document was compiled
from input and suggestions during the Faith Matters:
International Family Planning from a Christian
Perspective meeting in December 2014. This source
is by no means exhaustive and we hope readers will
continue seeking out other resources not
mentioned here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 4
A Biblical Perspective 5
The Importance of Family Planning
in Public Health 6
Themes and Resources 8
Healthy Gender Roles 10
Sexual Intercourse and Personal
Responsibility 12
Community Relationships 15
Bibliography 19
Additional support for this consultation was provided
by the Universal Access Project.
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Advancing Partners & Communities (APC): is
implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.,
in collaboration with FHI 360. The project focuses on
advancing and supporting community programs that
seek to improve the overall health of communities
and achieve other health-related impacts, especially
in relationship to family planning. APC provides global
leadership for community-based programming, executes
and manages small- and medium-sized sub-awards,
supports procurement reform by preparing awards for
execution by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), and builds technical capacity of
organizations to implement effective programs. Learn
more about APC at advancingpartners.org.
Contraception: This term encompasses all methods
used to prevent pregnancy, including: withdrawal, fertility
awareness methods (such as the Standard Days Method®),
oral contraceptives, implants, injectables, intrauterine
devices (IUDs), condoms, sterilization, the lactational
amenorrhea method (LAM), and emergency contraception
(WHO, 2013).
Family Planning (FP): enables couples to determine
the number and timing of pregnancies, including the
voluntary use of methods for preventing pregnancy – not
including abortion – that are harmonious with their values
and beliefs.
Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy (HTSP):
an approach to family planning that helps women and
families delay, space, or limit their pregnancies to achieve
the healthiest outcomes for women, newborns, infants,
and children. HTSP works within the context of free and
informed contraceptive choice and takes into account
fertility intentions and desired family size (WHO, 2013).
United States Agency for International
Development (USAID): USAID is the lead U.S.
Government agency that works to end extreme global
poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to
realize their potential.
Unmet Need for Family Planning: percentage of
women who are fecund and sexually active but are not
using any method of contraception, and report not
wanting any more children or wanting to delay the next
child (WHO, 2013).
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On December 3-4, 2014, Christian Connections for International Health
(UNF) Universal Access Project (UAP) co-hosted a technical meeting entitled
"Faith Matters: International Family Planning from a Christian Perspective". The
meeting was held at the Salvation Army National Headquarters in Alexandria,
VA and was attended by 48 representatives from 26 international health
organizations, various Christian denominations, and the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID). Overall, participants agreed that
family planning programs should focus on locally sustainable efforts; prioritizing
cultural competency; and emphasizing the voluntary, informed choice of
reproductive health services. In addition, programs should incorporate
local leadership involvement; economic-driven reasoning; male and female
involvement in education and programming; the dangers of early child marriage;
the importance of waiting until at
least age 18 to conceive children; and
timing and spacing of pregnancies for
women and their families.
Based on information gathered from
the aforementioned meeting and
reviews by other Christians working
in global health, this document offers
effective family planning messaging
for all groups of people within a
Christian community, including youth,
married couples, their extended family members, community opinion leaders,
by broad themes, with suggested target populations listed with each section.
The evidence is clear that using family planning to space and limit births
improves the health of mothers and children, and CCIH recognizes the harm
to women and children by mistimed, unintended and unwanted pregnancies.
voluntary and informed decision making. Programs should be culturally
appropriate, developed with strong collaboration from local communities,
respect their beliefs, and support the potential for all community members to
live an abundant life.
INTRODUCTION
Enabling couples to determine the number and timing of
pregnancies, including the voluntary use of methods for preventing
pregnancy – not including abortion – that are harmonious with
their values and beliefs.
I came that they may
have life and have it
abundantly.
JOHN 10:10
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A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
As Christians, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to turn to the Bible regarding
the role of family planning in public health. Both the Old and New Testaments are rich with
scripture supporting family planning. There are several key themes throughout the Bible that relate
gift given to increase intimacy between spouses.
In his presentation on December 3, 2014 at the Faith Matters meeting, Reverend Jackson Day, of
the United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society said, “In the ancient world, to
name something was to identify its worth, importance, value. The author of Genesis gave this role,
co-creators with God. Naming is an independent role; Genesis does not tell us that God told Adam
to name this creature “bird” and that creature “cow”; Genesis tells us that it was Adam who made
the decision. If you accept the full implication of this passage, God has undertaken some things and
left other things to humanity. Surely that includes the number and spacing of our children (Day,
2014).” He referred to the following bible verse:
So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the eld
and every bird of the air,
and brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
and whatever the man called every living creature,
that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 NRSV)
On the role of sex in marital relationships, note that for the author of Genesis, the purpose of
creating the second human was companionship because “it is not good that the man should be
alone.” If you look at the rest of this passage, it is companionship for which a man and woman
Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone.
I will make him a helper as his partner.
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother
and clings to his wife and they become one esh. (Genesis 2:18, 24 NRSV)
Finally, we acknowledge the importance of taking into account the entire framework in which all
scriptural passages occur, as many passages are often interpreted out of context. The most well-
known of these is Genesis 9:1: “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, Be fruitful
individual couples. Consider that this command is a shared responsibility for all mankind.
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PLANNING IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Family planning is important from a global health perspective because it
has been strongly associated with reduced maternal and child mortality.
Additionally, women who space their pregnancies at three-year intervals (as
opposed to less than two-year intervals) are up to three times less likely to
pregnancies that occur every year worldwide, up to 40 million of these result
in an induced abortion (Singh and Darrock, 2012).
The majority of these maternal and child deaths and abortions occur in
countries where there is an unmet need for family planning. Unmet need is
of contraception, including traditional methods, and want to stop or delay
childbearing (WHO, 2013). This statistic is calculated based on country-
wide surveys. There are an estimated 222 million women in less-developed
countries who experience this unmet need. If these women have access to
family planning methods and unmet need is addressed, it would prevent 26
million abortions, 79,000 maternal deaths and 1.1. million infant deaths (Singh
and Darrock, 2012).
Family Planning (FP):
enables couples to determine
the number and timing of
pregnancies, including the
voluntary use of methods for
preventing pregnancy – not
including abortion – that are
harmonious with their values
and beliefs.
7
71
59
43
51 51
45
38
54
CAMBODIA MALI GHANA BENIN UGANDA BANGLADESH HAITI NEPAL
162
158
131
121
120
101
97
96
Less than 2-year interval 3-year interval
Women with short intervals between births have higher deaths among their infants
Deaths per 1,000 infants under age 1
9 30
7 37
27 32
45
21
58
16
SOUTHERN AFRICA
WESTERN AFRICA
MIDDLE AFRICA
EASTERN AFRICA
NORTHERN AFRICA
Modern contraceptive use
Unmet need for modern contraception
Percentage of married women using contraception and with unmet need in Africa and Asia
EASTERN ASIA
WESTERN ASIA
SOUTH ASIA
CENTRAL ASIA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
34
35
46
24
52
19
56
20
88
3
Source: Singh and Darroch 2012
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The following discussion themes emerged during the course of the meeting: Bible-Based Concepts;
Healthy Gender Roles; Sexual Intercourse and Personal Responsibility; Community Relationships; and
BIBLE-BASED CONCEPTS
Messages based on our relationship with God center around four main ideas:
We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
Share your vision; talk with your family and friends; create spaces where it is safe for women
to share their dreams and allow them to do so.
Our bodies are sacred vessels (1 Corinthian 6:19-20): Although important for all people to
know, this idea is especially important for youth thinking about having sex early, or disempowered
women who have been taken advantage of in their marriages or previous relationships.
Marital sex is a gift from God to experience and express His love: Communities that may
vilify sex or view its only purpose as procreation may need to hear these messages. On the other
hand, communities that have “commoditized” sex may need to hear these as well. Examples include:
a. “Every great and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Sex is healthy and natural and a
gift. Sex should be given freely and not be forced.
pleasure and shared intimacy between a husband and a wife. Sexual pleasure is not an
accident, but a gift. The shared joy of physical union is a vital part of the marital bond.
c. Sex is powerful. It can have many consequences, emotional and physical. Handle with care.
We have an obligation to use it responsibly.
THEMES AND RESOURCES
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1. IMA World Health: Christian Sermon Guide to Save the Lives of Mothers and Newborns: A Toolkit for Religious Leaders
(2009): This document helps pastors guide their congregants through safe and healthy practices that save
mother and infant lives. It addresses common issues through the context of sermons and Biblical citations.
Access this resource at: http://imaworldhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Christian_Sermon_Guide.pdf.
2. The National Association of Evangelicals: Support for Celebrating Life Pastoral Resource Packet (2012): This packet
includes practical advice on family planning and contraception, and how they reduce abortions. Access this
resource at: www.nae.net/support-for-celebrating-life.
RELATED RESOURCES:
God values children and gives them special worth in scripture: “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little
children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven
married at very young ages. Examples include:
a. Women and girls are children of God, created in the divine image, and have sacred worth. They
shall be treated with equal value in families and communities. The Old Testament commands us
to care for orphans and widows, the marginalized and disempowered (Deuteronomy 24:17-22).
to remain sexually pure until marriage. Provide girls with the knowledge and skills to respect
1. If working with youth who are sexually active, remind them that this does not make
them less loved by God, but should motivate them to question their potentially harmful
c. Children are a gift from God. God has “entrusted” them to your care and you have a
responsible decision-making. “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.”
(Proverbs 22:6)
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There is often confusion regarding how scripture addresses gender roles. Passages in the Book of
Ephesians address mutual love and respect between a husband and wife, such as “Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25); and “Wives, be subject
to your husbands as you are to the Lord” (Eph 5:22). These passages speak of love and mutual respect,
not of domination or fear. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21) is the
should honor and cherish their wives, and that includes placing a high value on her health. Messages
incorporating gender roles in each community center on the following concepts:
Empowering women and girls leads to better outcomes for themselves, their families, and
their communities: While these ideas are important for disempowered women and girls to assert,
all members of a community – particularly community and faith leaders – need to understand the link
between empowered women, family planning, and healthier communities. Examples include:
a. Enable women to contribute to the economy by allowing them to become educated and balance
family with income-producing activities.
b. Educate Girls. Investing in girls so that they will complete the next level of education would lead
product (Chaaban and Cunningham, 2011).
c. Girls should be able to say: “I am special and want to get an education”; “I want to get an
education, so help me to say no to sex, and protect me from predators (such as older men).”
d. Girls are just as important as boys. Recognize their contributions to communities.
her to be kind, helpful and hard-working, and become educated and trained in skills to be the best
mother, wife, and community member she can (Proverbs 31:10-31).
The Idea of Masculinity:
respecting, caring for, and nurturing women and children. This should begin to be taught in childhood
by parents and faith leaders, be strengthened in adolescence, and continued prior to and into marriage.
Examples include:
b. True men cherish and protect women. One does not conquer or abuse/use women.
c. True Manhood is not measured by the number of women slept with, but by keeping the same
multiplicity of partners but in commitment and self-mastery.
Marital Relationships: As a nucleus of all Christian families, the relationship between a husband and
wife is critical to promoting mutual respect between genders. Some examples of effective messaging
and questions for discussion include:
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1. A Call to Christian Common Ground on Family Planning, and Maternal, and Children’s Health (2012). This report by
The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good links family planning to issues such as healthy family
formation, maternal and child health, and abortion reduction. This framework is used to initiate widespread
conversation and deliberation among United States and international evangelicals and others regarding family
planning: http://faithtoactionetwork.org/resources/a-call-to-christian-common-ground-on-family-planning-and-
maternal-and-childrens-health-2/.
2. “Engaging Men in Family Planning Services Delivery: Experiences Introducing the Standard Days Method
®
(SDM) in Four
Countries” (2012). The World Health & Population Journal. Rebecka Lundgren, Jeannette Cachan and Victoria Jennings
of the Institute for Reproductive Health discuss the impact of male involvement in family planning programs in
four countries, and especially the role that the Standard Days Method® plays in requiring cooperation of the male
need to involve men in family planning programs. The Standard Days Method® has provided an opportunity to
test innovative strategies to engage couples in family planning. This resource can be accessed here: http://www.
longwoods.com/content/23097.
3. Love, Children and Family Planning (2013)
Reproductive Health and Christian Connections for International Health in collaboration with Judith Brown, PhD.
This Bible discussion guide is meant to be used by small groups – in churches, in neighborhoods and in Christian
nursing schools and health centers. It is meant to be discussed and debated by Christians in all walks of life. This
was a cooperative effort of Christian health workers, pastors, church leaders, youth, and members of churches
welcome.
A printed version of this resource: http://ccih.org/BibleStudy-Printer%20Spread.pdf.
An electronic version of this resource: http://www.ccih.org/Love-Children-Family-Planning.pdf.
4. Measuring the Economic Gain of Investing in Girls: The Girl Effect Dividend (2011). This World Bank report shows
that investing in girls so that they would complete the next level of education would lead to lifetime earnings of
at: http://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/pdf/10.1596/1813-9450-5753.
5. Untying the Knot: Exploring Early Marriage in Fragile States (2013). Report by World Vision on “the ways in which
current interventions by governments and the international community…could be strengthened to ensure
that the cycle of poverty and inequality created by early marriage is broken for future generations of girls.” This
resource can be accessed at:
RELATED RESOURCES:
b. How do you express your love for your wife/husband/children?
c. It is “right” to talk with your spouse and decide on the number of children to have, and how to
use family planning to achieve desired family size.
healthier, and fosters health and prosperity for the entire family.
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SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
engage in sexual intercourse. A strong Christian family planning program should explore both the
holiness of sexual interactions, but also the responsibilities God has given humankind through this gift.
As explored in previous sections, women should be valued and equal partners in loving relationships.
Decisions to engage in sexual intercourse should always be mutual among husband and wife.
You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes,
With one jewel of your necklace.
How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
And the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
Your lips distill nectar, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
The scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.
(Song of Solomon 4:9-11)
The Song of Solomon evokes the imagery of sex without pregnancy. It is a poem purely dedicated
theology that God is good, life is good, love is good – and sex is intended to be good because it
brings people together (Day, 2014).
Successful messaging can be divided into the following categories:
Decision making: Decisions to engage in sexual intercourse should be mutual among husband
and wife. As referenced in the “Healthy Gender Roles” section, the Book of Ephesians addresses the
mutual love and respect that must occur between a husband and wife. Holy marital sex is mutual and
consensual, and we demonstrate our love by never degrading sexual relations via hostile, forced one-
sided sex (1 Cor 7:3-5).
Identifying motivators: Particularly for young populations, programs should address the
motivators behind wanting to engage in sexual intercourse. Possible discussion topics can include:
a. Asking individuals to answer the question: Are you engaging in sexual activity? If so, why am I
having sex? Why might I choose not to have sex? It is necessary to identify the root causes (e.g.
loneliness, boredom, fear, etc.) and address those, not just the act of sex.
b. Asking young people: Are they ready to be engaging in sex? What if they get pregnant or
contract a sexually-transmitted disease? Do they feel comfortable asking questions about sex,
and why or why not?
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Bringing generations together: Those with authoritative positions in the community – parents,
headmasters, church leaders, etc. – should engage in frank discussions with youth about the joys and
responsibilities of safe sex in a monogamous relationship when they reach adulthood, as well as the
repercussions of irresponsible sexual behavior. Discussion topics can include:
a. How can parents/teachers/churches guide the healthy sexuality of their youth? The role of
teachers and headmasters must be emphasized in this conversation, as children can spend over
20 percent of their formative years in school.
we need to do before engaging in a sexual relationship (e.g. decision-making skills, focusing on
harm your body.
marital intimacy – not just physical pleasure – the impact is more full and satisfying. Ultimately,
adults, not a man and a young girl.
condoms to prevent transmission.
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1. American Catholics in Transition
explores the various topics facing American Catholics today and the wide diversity of those who
self-identify at Catholic. Although this focuses on those living in the United States, it is an important
resource for anyone working with American Catholics.
Access portions of this book here: http://www.ccih.org/Faith-Matters-American-Catholics.pdf
The book is available for purchase here: http://www.amazon.com/American-Catholics-Transition-
William-DAntonio/dp/1442219920.
2. Family Life Education: A Handbook for Adults Working with Youth from a Christian Perspective (2013). Compiled
by FHI 360, this handbook is an introductory resource for adults working with youth in a Christian
context. It is adapted from the participant handbook used in a training course with six workshops. It is
an easy-to-use resource, providing basic information and guidance without a formal training curriculum.
Access this resource at: https://www.iywg.org/resources/family-life-education-handbook-adults-working-
youth-christian-perspective.
3. Family Life Education: Teaching Youth about Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS from a Christian Perspective
(2006). Compiled by FHI 360, this manual contains 12 short workshops designed for working with
youth in a Christian faith community. It provides basic information on communication, development,
sexuality, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and related issues. Access this resource at: http://www.fhi360.
org/resource/family-life-education-teaching-youth-about-reproductive-health-and-hivaids-christian.
4. Investing in very young adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (2014). This article published by
Global Public Health stresses the importance of sexual and reproductive health programs targeting
very young adolescents, ages 10 to 14. It states, “Since early adolescence marks a critical transition
between childhood and older adolescence and adulthood setting the stage for future SRH and gender
relationships and positive SRH [sexual reproductive health].” Access this resource at: http://www.
tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17441692.2014.908230#.VL_muEfF-L4.
5. My Changing Body: Body Literacy & Fertility Awareness for Young People (2nd Edition) (2011). Developed by
the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University, this manual has important information
about changes that take place during puberty. It has content targeted toward both young adolescents
and their parents, in an effort to initiate informed conversations and support between the two
generations. Find the manual in different languages at: http://irh.org/resource-library/my-changing-body-
body-literacy-fertility-awareness-for-young-people-2nd-edition.
6. Resources on Natural Family Planning from the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University
(IRH). IRH provides evidence-based materials and publications for program managers, healthcare
providers, technical experts, researchers and policy makers on fertility awareness-based methods (FAM)
of family planning [i.e. Standard Days Method®, TwoDay Method®, Lactational Amenorrhea Method].
IRH publishes a wide range of materials, including FAM integration tools, training curricula, provider job
resources at: http://irh.org/focus-areas/family_planning.
RELATED RESOURCES:
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The Bible encourages us as a Christian community to weigh the economic implications of our
decisions. The passage in Luke 14:28-30, often referred to as “Counting the Cost,” goes the closest to
to undertake a course of action. If it is a good thing to do prior to building a tower, how much more is
For which of you, intending to build a tower,
does not rst sit down and estimate the cost,
to see whether he has enough to complete it?
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to nish,
all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying,
“This fellow began to build and was not able to nish.” Luke 14:28-30.
Clearly, Christians are meant to care for each other and to take responsibility for each other. That means we
as a community should be helping each other to create and support the kinds of relationships and families
that are the best for all of us (Acts 2:44-47).
Messages harnessing the importance of extended family and community dynamics include the following:
Healthy Families and Happy Communities: In general, communities that demonstrate the
highest unmet need for family planning also place a high value on support from extended families and
ultimately contributes to the overall health and happiness of an entire community, not just the nuclear
young girls from child marriage and forced pregnancy at an early age.
Economic Stability: Smaller, healthier families are associated with higher economic stability and
adult men and boys, community opinion leaders, and even extended family members of married
couples considering family planning. Here are some examples:
sex until adulthood prevents these problems.
b. Men who support their wives in family planning report seeing the economic advantages it brings
to their families.
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c. Families who engage in the healthy timing and spacing of children are able to contribute more to
d. The following verse can help emphasize the idea that we are responsible for the children
we bring into the world. 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and
especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Many Christians use this verse to justify the need for families to be able to economically care
for their families – can you afford to feed your child? To clothe your child? To send your child to
school? To spend time with your child nurturing and loving him/ her?
1. Achieving a Demographic Dividend (2012). A report written by James N. Gribble and Jason Bremner of the
Population Reference Bureau, which “explains the demographic dividend in terms of demographic changes,
investments in human capital and economic and governance policies.” The report highlights experiences of
Asian and Latin American countries, and “considers the prospects for African nations.” It can be accessed
here: http://www.prb.org/pdf12/achieving-demographic-dividend.pdf.
2. CCIH Infographic (2014): While CCIH and our members work on a wide variety of global health issues, we
have answered the calling to advocate from a Christian perspective for access to family planning services to
protect the health of mothers and children. CCIH produced this infographic to help further an open and
productive dialogue on why family planning is consistent with Christian values. Access this resource here:
http://www.ccih.org/Christian-Values-Support-FP-Infographic.pdf.
3. Family Planning Integration for Health Impact (2012). Created by the CORE Group, this graphic shows how
family planning strengthens other primary health priorities. It is from the Better Together: Linking Family
Planning and Community Health for Equity and Impact document released by the CORE Group. Access
this image here: http://ccih.org/images/stories/FP_Integration_Graphic.jpg Or at: http://www.coregroup.org/
storage/SMRH/FamilyPlanningReport/FPIreportRevised-online.pdf.
4. Initiating the Demographic Dividend by Achieving a Fertility Decline (2013)
factors of the “demographic dividend” in African countries. It was jointly sponsored by the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), with support from
USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health and the Packard Foundation. Technical research material was provided by David Bloom, David
Canning, Andrew Mason, Ronald Lee, and the Population Reference Bureau. It can be accessed here:
Demographic%20Dividend_English.pdf.
5. Why wait? The effect of marriage and childbearing on the wages of men and women (2009). A working paper from
the RAND Corporation, which suggests that early childbearing may “lead to substantial decreases in lifetime
earnings.” This article can be accessed at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/working_papers/WR482-1.html.
RELATED RESOURCES:
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Messages expressing or revealing the importance of faith-based organizations in provision of health
Gospels, Jesus was compassionate to all people, especially the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the
Scriptures, God speaks of our purpose to rebuild, restore, and renew all that is broken (Isaiah 61). We
are called to work to end the brokenness of hunger and poverty in our communities, in our country,
and in other countries (Bread for the World, 2014). Scripture addressing this concept include:
“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge
righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one
another.” (1 John 3:16)
Throughout the Scriptures, God calls people into community and sets the expectation that leaders
(whether they are kings, pharaohs, or governments) should care for their people. “May he judge your
people with righteousness and your poor with justice.”(Psalm 72:2).
Help policymakers recognize the importance of faith-based organizations in providing international
health services and how important it is to support funding of faith-based organizations at a level
consistent with their overall contribution to health services and to strengthen health care, including
family planning in their communities.
beliefs, attitudes and practices in communities. This capacity is augmented by the nearly universal
presence of this sector already integrated within the community.
Help policymakers understand the importance of supporting funding for international family planning
for public, private, and faith-based organizations in order to reduce the unmet need of women who
seek access to family planning, but do not have it. Funding international family planning services
reduces unintended pregnancies and abortion in the poorest countries with the greatest need.
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1. Advocacy Day Capitol Hill Brieng: FBOs and Maternal and Child Health (2014). Healthy mothers and children are
most of them to preventable causes. Faith-based organizations are taking a leadership role and working across
the globe to prevent the deaths of mothers and children. http://www.ccih.org/a-advocacy/advocacy-stories.html.
2. Capitol Hill Panel Session on Christians and Family Planning (2013). This panel session of maternal and child
health experts explained why family planning is critical to improving child survival rates and why the current
perception that Christians do not support family planning is inaccurate. http://www.ccih.org/family-planning-a-
reproductive-health/362-advocacy-a-policy-resources.html.
3. Faith to Action Network “Interfaith declaration to improve family health and well being”. Faith to Action is a global
interfaith network of faith organizations, committed to improve family health and well-being. It also has over
250 organizations that have endorsed the Interfaith Declaration referenced as evidence of support by faith
organizations for family health and well-being.http://www.faithtoactionetwork.org/about-us/the-interfaith-
declaration/.
4. Meeting Demand for Family Planning (2013). This Population Facts publication is produced by the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations. It provides key facts about unmet need and highlights the
areas of the world where family planning is most needed. Access the document here: http://www.un.org/en/
development/desa/population/publications/pdf/popfacts/popfacts_2013-6.pdf.
5. Revised Unmet Need for Family Planning: DHS Analytical Studies 25 (2012). Per its executive summary, “this report
data from 169 DHS surveys conducted in 70 countries over the last 20 years.” Access the information here:
6. Think you know where Christians stand on FP? Think again! (2013). CCIH produced this simple fact sheet to share
information on Christians working in family planning and what family planning means to Christians. http://www.
ccih.org/Hill-Fact-Sheet-FP.pdf.
7. The role of faith-inspired health care providers and public-private partnerships: Strengthening the evidence for faith-
inspired health engagement in Africa. (2012) http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/docsearch/report/76223.
health through family planning. These resources can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/
family-planning/information-center.
9. What Is the Role of Family Planning in Improving Health? A Christian Perspective (2014). Dr. Henry Mosley explores
drawing strong links between HTSP and decreases in maternal and child mortality. The presentation can be
found here: http://www.ccih.org/Faith-Matters-Henry-Mosley-Presentation-Dec-2014.pdf.
10. World Faiths Development Dialogue Document: http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/faith-and-
international-family-planning-report-launch.
RELATED RESOURCES:
19
1. Bread for the World (2014). The Biblical Basis for Advocacy to End Hunger. Available from http://
www.bread.org/hunger/bible/biblical-basis/biblical-basis-for-advocacy.pdf.
2. Chaaban, J., and Cunningham, W. (2011). Measuring the Economic Gain of Investing in Girls: The Girl
Effect Dividend. Available from http://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/pdf/10.1596/1813-9450-5753.
3. Christian Connections for International Health (2014). Why Christian Values Support Family Planning
[Infographic]. Available from http://ccih.org/family-planning-a-reproductive-health/563-ccih-
infographic-on-why-christian-values-support-family-planning.html.
4. Day, Rev. Jackson (2014). Talking about Family Planning: Inviting the Bible to the Table. Available from
http://www.ccih.org/Faith-Matters-UMC-Family-Planning-Bible-to-Table.pdf.
Available from: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/AIU-2012-estimates.pdf.
6. United Nations (2013). Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World
Contraceptive Patterns 2013. Available from http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/
publications/pdf/family/worldContraceptivePatternsWallChart2013.pdf.
7. World Health Organization (WHO) (2013). Family Planning Factsheet. Available from http://www.
who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs351/en/.
8. World Health Organization (WHO) (2013). Unmet need for family planning. Available from http://
www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/family_planning/unmet_need_fp/en/.
9. World Health Organization (WHO) (2013). Contraceptive Prevalence. Available from http://www.
who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/family_planning/contraceptive_prevalence/en/.
PHOTO CREDITS:
p.3 - A mother and child attend a family planning counseling session in Chaibasa, India. © 2012 Jennifer Applegate, Courtesy of Photoshare
p.6 - A community health worker in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, India gives a talk on family planning. Adrienne Allison/World Vision
Akintunde Akinleye/NURHI, Courtesy of Photoshare
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