An event was held at the Scottish Parliament to praise the work of volunteers who make an impact on poverty and inequality.
Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Angela Constance told volunteers: "The reality is that your work has never been more important.
"We continue to face challenging economic circumstances, and too many people continue to live in poverty in Scotland.
"Achieving a fairer and more equal Scotland is at the heart of this Government's ambitions, but we can only do so with the help of faith communities and organisations.
"And you are already part of these efforts.
"You are tackling homelessness, helping to close the attainment gap, supporting refugee integration, alleviating food poverty, and building more connected communities day in and day out.
"Critically, you are deeply rooted within the communities that you serve and you act as a place of sanctuary and warmth for many."
Fred Drummond from the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland told Premier's New Hour it was great to hear those words from the Scottish government: "So often I think government and wider communities sometimes don't understand the positive role the church has in community transformation, so to have an event in the Scottish Parliament to showcase some of the work faith communities was doing was fantastic".
Drummond believes Scotland without the church would be unrecognisable and its work is vital to the nation.
"There are so many different churches doing amazing things on the ground in all communities from breakfast clubs for children, to helping people with addictions, to clubs for refugees, to helping people learn to read and write, to adoption agencies and fostering.
"Almost in every sector of need within the nation you'll find Christians involved".
Drummond told Premier the recognition was nice and hopes it's the beginning of a positive relationship between churches and the Scottish Government.
He told Premier that's the purpose of a new organisation called Serve Scotland: "It's an opportunity for Christian organisations to come together under one umbrella and build bridges both locally and nationally with government to try and share resources, share ideas, listen to another, and build better relationships."
