As we pray about needs in the neighborhoods around our church, we may see that all spiritual problems begin with an improper view of Christ, a false understanding of Christ's body (the church), and/or incorrect knowledge of the relationship between Christ and His Church with the believer. For 500+ years, the Reformers have taught that solutions start with confessing Christ as Lord and building the confessional church to empower individuals, families, churches and governments and others to address spiritual and social problems.

At www.UCLA.Church, we believe in working three Christ-centered institutions and seven Christ-centered spheres to help leaders build strong organizations that bless members of the organizations as well as those served by the organizations. We equip our church members for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12). What we do for the least among us, we do for Christ (Matthew 25:40). We "care for the widow, the orphan, the stranger among you," as God commands in Deuteronomy 24:17.

The prophets, in Isaiah 58:6-8 and elsewhere throughout Scripture, have encouraged believers to spread God's peace and grace to the least fortunate. Mature Christians and their churches are called….

• to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
• to set the oppressed free and break every yoke
• to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
• when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood

When there is a commitment to the above ideals, "then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." (Isa 58:6-8).

Christ encouraged churches to address the needs of the least fortunate and support leaders of His 3 main institutions, which were created to help extend SHALOM to people like these:
S.	Sick and Strangers in the land
H.	Hungry, Homeless, Handicapped
A.	Afflicted and Addicted
L.	Lost and Low-Income
O.	Orphans and Oppressed
M.	Minorities, Missionaries, Magistrates, and Ministers of the Gospel

* Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility