HCJB Global is launching its Voice and Hands Contest to encourage and enable believers both to pray and to reach out to their communities and the world during these tough economic times.

The Voice and Hands Contest is a part of the "Me and My Household" initiative which HCJB Global announced in February.

HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson said the goal of the contest is to "challenge individuals, households and churches to come up with ministry projects that have a 'voice' component that declares Jesus and a 'hands' component that demonstrates the love of Jesus in tangible ways."

Pederson is inviting people to submit their project ideas to HCJB Global, and 10 submissions will be selected to each receive a $200 prize that can be used toward their outreach or short-term mission trip and a Flip Video Camera to record their experience. HCJB Global also will be allowing people to vote for a subset of entries as part of the selection process.

As an encouragement to those seeking to reach out, the mission also is giving away at www.hcjbglobal.org/resources a free "Voice and Hands Reader" that provides 30 days of devotionals and inspirational stories, along with worship music about what it means to be the "Voice and Hands of Jesus."

The title of the contest reflects the fact that HCJB Global is known as the "Voice and Hands" of Jesus around the world because the ministry both proclaims the good news and provides practical aid to the people with whom it shares the gospel.

Voice and Hands Contest entries can be submitted and rules are available at www.hcjbglobal.org/contest. Contest entries must be received by Wednesday, May 20. Contest winners will be announced on Monday, June 1.

HCJB Global's "Me and My Household" initiative is based on research that shows the ministry is reaching more than 1 million households in the Arab world through its radio ministry. Joshua 23:15 says, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

The mission is also offering a free prayer e-card at www.hcjbglobal.org/myprayer that Christians can use to send a household prayer to their immediate and extended families. The Voice and Hands Contest is the next step in the campaign.

"We believe one of the ways God may be answering the prayers we have been encouraging since February is by giving His people new ideas and fresh enthusiasm for reaching both their neighbors and those around the world," Pederson said.

"The Voice and Hands Contest is a way of collecting these ideas, celebrating what God is birthing in the minds and hearts of His people, and providing encouragement and seed money for the implementation of these God-given ideas."

"Generous giving during difficult times has an added impact," he added. "First of all, the needs are greater during times of economic distress. Secondly, when Christians give in times of crisis, we bear witness to an unbelieving world that our trust is not in money, but in God and His provision. Giving in tough times is a powerful gospel witness."

HCJB Global is also challenging households in North America and around the world to pray for unreached households and to give $1 to reach one household in the Arab world for one year.