As the Chalmers Center staff gathers with our churches and families to celebrate Easter this week, we join with Christians around the world, declaring “He is risen!”

Jesus’ death and resurrection is what secures our reconciliation with God, ourselves, others, and all creation. The one who made all things is remaking us, as Paul tells us:

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Col. 1:17-20)

Because Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead,” through His resurrection, we know that His promise to make all things new (Rev. 21:5) is true. We are being made new now and looking forward to His ultimate restoration of all things when He comes to dwell with us again. Even more than that, we are given the opportunity to join with God in the work of His kingdom on earth.

This is what the Chalmers Center is all about!

Transformed and Empowered

As we go about our work of walking alongside churches and nonprofits to help them understand what poverty is and equipping them to address the broken relationships at the root of material poverty, we set our eyes on Jesus. He not only calls us to obey God’s commands to care for those among us who are suffering and struggling but empowers our work by His Holy Spirit who lives in us (Gal. 5:25, etc.). We work because He is at work in us, bringing life into a world where death seems to be the rule of the day.  

We see throughout scripture that the good news of the gospel transforms people. It’s an invitation to abundant life in all areas of our lives, both in eternity and today. That’s why all of our teaching and programs focus on relational, holistic ministry. The resurrection reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just save our souls. He saves all of us—body, mind, affections, will, and relationships. He transforms all our relationships: with God, with ourselves, with others, and with creation.

As Jesus brings restoration, we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit’s power in and through us helps us love those in material poverty and work alongside them to repair broken systems and push back against the powers of darkness that desire to keep people trapped in material poverty.

As you celebrate Easter this year, thank God for sending His Son to make reconciliation possible. Then look around and consider where God has uniquely placed you to be a minister of reconciliation in your community. Don’t just rest in what Christ has done for you but look for ways to live out the reality of the resurrection. As always, the Chalmers Center is here for you with practical tools and resources to declare and demonstrate Christ’s work alongside those in material poverty.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed.