Exposure to the news cycle these days, particularly regarding the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, often elicits dread and whiffs of doom. It also consistently lacks one element vital to human flourishing and transformation: hope. However, hope was flowing in abundance at the Global Creation Care Forum (GCCF) that took place September 28-October 2, 2024. Around 110 people from 40 countries, coming from varied occupations and backgrounds, gathered at the Somang Retreat Centre in Gonjiam, Korea immediately after the 4^th Lausanne Congress finished.

The diversity of contexts displayed the uneven nature of people’s relationship with their environment in a given place. Some came from contexts where there is a strong creation care movement among churches, others came from regions where the idea of creation care is either unknown or a very new concept. Some came from contexts where there are environmental protection laws in place and enforced, and others where the effects of climate change compel advocacy on the global stage. Each person’s involvement in their locality, caring for God’s creation and inspiring others to do the same is truly remarkable.

Some of these stories were shared throughout the sessions, voices from around the globe reflecting on how they have seen the gospel intersect with creation care. For example, Tony Rinaudo discovered how to restore forests through natural regeneration in Niger. He transparently shared his journey of moving from frustration and discouragement to repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit to see that which he had been blinded to before in terms of forest regeneration. I was struck by the fact that God wants to heal his creation—and just as we trust the Spirit to lead in any other aspects of mission, God knows the best ways to restore it. In fact, God will creatively interact with us as we seek to be faithful in caring for his creation. In the context of Panama, Jocabed Solano Miselis shared about her indigenous people’s wisdom and care in relation to their surrounding environment. Her global advocacy to bring attention to the ways climate change and biodiversity loss are affecting her people was inspiring. Finally, I was shocked and grieved to hear that in 2023, 196 land and environmental defenders were murdered throughout the world, the highest number in Columbia.

In addition to the stories, there was other content, such as the Biblical basis for creation care by Dave Bookless, and concerning trends in the climate crisis by Katharine Hayhoe. Listening to Katharine’s up-to-date information about the state of our world reminded me that I need to keep learning and understanding the science of what is happening, so that I can be faithful in my stewardship. We also had time to think carefully about our experience at the 4^th Lausanne Congress through the lens of creation care as a gospel issue. Those who had been involved in past Lausanne initiatives recognized that some progress has been made in the recognition of the Church’s call to creation care. However, one of the biggest critiques was that creation care was still relegated to a side issue, rather as being seen as inextricably bound up in the whole of God’s mission. This propelled conversation towards how we could continue to encourage and challenge the global Church to move towards a deeper understanding and commitment. To this end, a working group began to put together a document which will be called: ‘The Gonjiam Invitation: Good News for all the Earth.’

One of the highlights for me was developing a sense of global community around this issue of creation care. Times of prayer, singing, lament, and fellowship fostered this sense of community and it was deepened by our shared purpose and love of God’s creation. During meals and in-between sessions, there was a warm friendliness and openness that invited deep conversations and connections. Often, I feel alone in my context regarding my passion for God’s creation and my desire for the Church to bear witness to the glory of God through our care for it. At the GCCF, listening to the stories and getting to know this diverse group of people was a reminder that we are not laboring alone, but God’s Spirit is empowering his people all over the globe to shine as lighthouses of hope, no matter what the situation. Seeing the example of others who live out their discipleship to Jesus as a call to simplicity, humility, community, and service was in of itself a challenge inviting me to continue to reflect on my own life choices. Yet this challenge seemed more like an invitation—to deepen one’s commitment to Christ and one another, but without a sense of self-righteousness or judgement. I pray that the relationships and synergy generated at the GCCF will spread this robust, multi-faceted hope to our local contexts and beyond.

By Melody J. Wachsmuth, mission researcher in the Balkans, based in Osijek, Croatia