Churches Seeking Justice: Engage
Once you have spent time learning about oppression and God’s call to justice in the Educate phase, and carefully considered specific needs in your church, your community and in the world in the Explore phase, it is time to begin the Engage phase and develop or discover the unique contribution that your church can make to the work of justice.
The following action items may be important next steps in your journey as you begin to do this work. You can learn more about this process in The Justice Journey: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Christian Leaders. IJM Canada’s Church Mobilization staff is also available to provide specific guidance – please contact engage@ijm.ca for more information.
The following action items may be important next steps in your journey as you begin to do this work. You can learn more about this process in The Justice Journey: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Christian Leaders. IJM Canada’s Church Mobilization staff is also available to provide specific guidance – please contact engage@ijm.ca for more information.
Action Step:
Pray for the work of justice. We invite all who would join us in prayer to become IJM Canada prayer partners. Once you sign up, you will receive a confidential weekly update by e-mail, detailing IJM’s current prayer needs. Join with members of your congregation to pray about your church’s own justice journey, and for the work of justice around the world.Action Step:
Attend The Global Prayer Gathering. Each spring, IJM brings together staff and friends from all over the world for the Global Prayer Gathering – a time of seeking God and seeking justice for victims of oppression. You can join with staff from Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America and the United Kingdom for this transforming time of worship, prayer and fellowship.Action Step:
Make justice a budget item. IJM Canada invites churches to participate in its monthly giving program called Freedom Partner. This program brings you in closer to the work you make possible through your financial commitment to justice.Action Step:
Explore stories of real churches doing the work of justice. Since 1997, IJM has worked closely with churches of all shapes and sizes, and we have been inspired by the courage, perseverance and joy we have witnessed as congregations engage in the work of justice. As you read the following stories, be encouraged by the many shapes and forms this work takes.North Park Community Church – London, Ontario
Perimeter Church – Atlanta, Georgia
Saddleback Church – Orange County, California
Photo Gallery
In 2009, Solid Rock Free Lutheran Church in Camrose, Alberta, joined with a local home builder to build a custom home to raise funds for IJM Canada.
In His Own Words
Impunity won't persist
"Those who abuse their power – police included – will have to give answer for what they have taken."