Introduction

One Thousand Churches Connected is an initiative of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition designed to bring the message of economic responsibility to families through churches across the country.

The growth of many communities across the country is stifled by a mentality that encourages people to carry large amounts of personal debt. The problem is compounded by overuse of credit cards and playing the lottery, practices that may ultimately result in unnecessary bankruptcies.

In response, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition has created a Financial Ministry to deliver a message of economic responsibility through the church. The idea comes from the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., who continues a legacy that began with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Jackson envisions what he calls a "Freedom Symphony" comprised of "four movements":

The First Movement was the struggle to end slavery

The Second Movement was the battle to end segregation

The Third Movement was the march to obtain full voting rights

The Fourth Movement is the quest for equal opportunity through shared economic security and empowerment

The second and third movements were substantially achieved in Dr. King's lifetime. Rev. Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition seek to achieve the goals of the Fourth Movement through the One Thousand Churches Connected Program.