Canaries are used in mining to determine if a mine is safe from toxic gases. If the canary dies it serves as a warning that the air in the mine is unsafe and that those inside are now in danger as well.

There are certain groups of people that serve this same role in society as well. If these “canaries” are not cared for they serve as a warning that the health of the community is in danger. Conversely, when these canaries thrive then societies are positioned to grow and thrive as well.

At Abundant Life Church we see the canaries of society to be the vulnerable and displaced people of the world and we are committed to giving ourselves to make the Gospel good news for them.

• The vulnerable people in society, locally and around the world, are those who are not able to help themselves and need others to care for them and empower their voices. We will focus on those who are poor, widows, foster children and orphans.
• The displaced people in society, locally and around the world, are those who are without a home or have fled their home. We will focus on immigrants and refugees, those who have been or are at risk of being trafficked for sex, and those living on the streets or in shelters.

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:37-40