During this past Christmas season, I began most mornings with Advent reflections from one of my theological mentors Walter Brueggeman in his devotional study called “Celebrating Abundance.”  One of the readings unpacked the biblical theme of God’s “steadfast love.”  Brueggeman interprets steadfast love as “solidarity with the vulnerable engaged with transformative strength,” or in other words – “transformative solidarity.” 

Transformative solidarity is at the core of God’s steadfast love for his creation and fully enacted in the invasion of Jesus Christ into our world. His life fully embodied solidarity with the vulnerable engaged with transformative strength. Transformative solidarity was the fundamental experience of the nation of Israel throughout Old Testament history and was the dominant expression and impact of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

It is transformative solidarity that Jesus offered the woman at the well, the tax collector Zaccheus in the tree, the widow who lost her only son, and with Mary and Martha at the death of their brother Lazarus. This pattern is repeated as Jesus enters into our lives with compassion, solidarity, and transformative strength to forever change the trajectory of our lives.

What people and communities need most is abiding, committed, and passionate transformative solidarity.

As I pondered this concept further, I realized how Agros is a ministry of transformative solidarity.  Communities of solidarity are being created every day, through your generosity and investment, in specifically transformative ways, which families receive as strength to lift themselves out of poverty. 

You belong to this transformative solidarity community called Agros.  You’re in it with us and with our families and your care and support changes the trajectory of peoples’ lives.

Blessings and Thank You!

Ken Kierstead

Executive Vice President

Agros International