Retired Morning Star Holy Church pastor Rev. Tyler Millner Sr. was recently recognized for his advocacy in ending world hunger during Bread for the World’s 50th Advocacy Summit and in Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith’s new book, “A Legacy of Faith and Justice: Pan African Advocacy and Leadership for Ending Hunger.”
Millner said Bread for the World is a national Christian nonprofit organization that works to end hunger around the globe.
“A big part of that is advocating for the need to end hunger,” Millner said. “Then the second is getting the government to make the kind of decision that will, for a lack of a better word, help move us towards that on the premise that the pantry, however much we may put in it, will not end hunger.”
Millner said efforts like the federal farm bill, food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other nutrition aid are crucial to making progress.
“The advocacy is to get government to make the kind of decisions that will help eradicate hunger,” he said, adding that cutting food assistance is not a policy that will achieve that goal.
While he was unable to attend the 50th summit due to health reasons, Millner said he was surprised and honored to be recognized. He was also humbled by his inclusion in Walker-Smith’s book.
“I was extremely appreciative to be counted among those, and it’s extremely humbling,” he said. “To me it said what we’ve done at least has made some impact to be considered an advocate for justice in some official capacity, but all I tried to do is do what I could. I tell the young folk, ‘You don’t work for honor, you work to do good, and somewhere along the way it may or may not be recognized.’”
According to its synopsis, A Legacy of Faith and Justice “sheds light on the untold stories of Pan-African people of faith in the global fight to end hunger.” The book highlights leaders and their role in developing and implementing practices and policies to eradicate hunger, many of whom have been part of Bread for the World’s history.
Bread for the World Advocacy Summit
At the organization’s annual summit, a central theme is selected to guide advocacy efforts. One past theme, “Nurturing Our Future,” focused on shaping a hunger-free world for the next generation.
Millner said the organization also embraces the concept of a “table where everybody belongs.”
“If you look at it in terms of hungry folk, they need a seat at the table. Or if you look at it from the standpoint of bread, we need to have everybody at the table so that the policies, what we promote and what have you, will have the broadest appeal,” he said.
He said special caucuses, such as African or Pan-American caucuses, are also held to strategize and share information. Guests receive hunger data updates, and the organization works toward achieving long-term targets through the “millennium goal,” a benchmark for reducing global hunger.
“They set a target: ‘We hope to get rid of major hunger by these targets.’ So part of their work is to keep score as to how we are doing toward that,” Millner said.
Morning Star Holy Church became a covenant church due to its ongoing donations. While the congregation typically donates around $500 annually, Millner said it contributed $1,200 in 2023.
Letter Writing as Advocacy
Millner said Bread for the World encourages grassroots advocacy, especially letter writing to members of Congress.
“So we’re going to be host for letter writing on the fourth Sunday of this month,” he said. “They said that is one of the most effective strategies to influence the Congress. Now they’ve got more than 100 places in the next several months to be a host to write letters, and you usually write your Congressman. The letters are collected and then presented to them.”
For more information about Bread for the World, visit www.bread.org.
