© 2010 David Beckmann
First edition
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beckmann, David M.
Exodus from hunger : we are called to change the politics of hunger / David
Beckmann.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index.
ISBN 978-0-664-23684-7 (alk. paper)
1. Hunger—Religious aspects—Christianity. 2. Church and social problems—
United States. 3. Christianity and politics—United States. 4. Economic assistance,
American—Citizen participation. I. Title.
BR115.H86B43 2010
261.8’326—dc22
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2010027049
Contents
Foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu ix
Introduction
Part I: Where Things Stand Now
1. Widespread and Increased Hunger
2. Dramatic Progress Is Feasible
3. Countries That Have Reduced Hunger and Poverty
Part II: Where We Want to Go
4. This Is God Moving in Our Time
5. Getting Serious about Poverty Would Be Good for America
6. People of Faith Can Make Congress Work
7. Hopeful Developments in U.S. Politics
8. A Time to Change History for Hungry People
Part III: How We Get There Together
9. How God Has Drawn Me In
10. Take a Step
11. We Need God
Notes
FOREWORD
Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
I have noticed that many people in the United States think that mass
hunger and poverty are immutable facts of life. They may volunteer at a soup
kitchen or contribute to an international charity, but do not hope for large-scale
change. They are often wary of getting involved in politics.
For most of my life, many people thought that racial oppression was an
immutable fact of life in South Africa. As a pastor, I encouraged people who
believed in God to get active in pushing for change. In the end, God blessed us
with a transition to a more just society.
David Beckmann—a winner of the 2010 World Food Prize—is both a
pastor and an economist. He is calling on people of faith and conscience in the
United States to get more active in the politics of hunger and poverty. He sees
opportunities right now to win changes that would help many people in the
United States and around the world escape from hunger.
A stronger U.S. commitment to overcoming global hunger and poverty
would be a huge help in Africa and other parts of the world. And you can
certainly overcome mass hunger and poverty within the United States itself.
Your country is so richly blessed.
David says that God is moving in our time to overcome hunger and
poverty and that people of faith in the United States can play an important role
in this great exodus. I plead with you to read this book and act on it.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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