I initially came to South East Asia to
help set up an education foundation,
so I put my career on hold to teach
English or whatever else was required.
However, the need that is most
obvious in this part of the world
is environmental management. It
is evident before your plane even
touches the ground, looking at the
colour of the air! Then you get out
of the airport and all your other
senses get bombarded with the
impacts of failures to manage many
environmental challenges! Waste
disposal, air and water pollution,
overpopulation, natural resource
depletion, urban sprawl and poor
transport infrastructure are significant
challenges across much of the
developing world.
I saw the need, remembered my skills
in environmental management, and
asked an important question: Is caring
for creation a legitimate missional
activity?
Global Interaction’s Theology of
Mission states:
“Our mission flows from radical
commitment of God’s mission to
fulfill His redemptive purposes for
His creation. God calls His people to
be participants and it is the church’s
privilege and responsibility to live
out God’s love for the world.”
›› Are you a professional who would like to get involved in this project?
Contact us today.
›› Give to the Greenie’s project at www.globalinteraction.org.au/Greenie
›› Sign up to receive quarterly newsletters about Greenie’s ministry
SMS 0427444784
›› To read more about creation care check out Gen 1-3, Mark 12:3031, Col 1:15-18, Rom 8:18-23 and Rev 21. Greenie also recommends
Planetwise: Dare to Care for God’s World by Dave Bookless and
Surprised by Hope by Tom Wright.
This, together with several other
theological beliefs underpinning the
work of Global Interaction certainly
provides a solid basis for using what
many now refer to as Creation Care
as a strong platform for mission. I
particularly appreciate the statement of
a likeminded organisation with respect
to our responsibility as Christians to the
environment:
“…we believe that the church has
a responsibility to care for God’s
creation as an expression of His
kingdom; and that we cannot truly
love our neighbours without caring
for the land and ecology on which
they (and we) depend. We need to
care for both people and places… In
response to the Biblical mandate to
care for creation, and to the growing
ecological crisis, (we are) committed
to urgent and prophetic ecological
responsibility.” (OMF)
Global Interaction has been involved in
environment initiatives for a few years
now in South-East Asia. We have a
registered NGO working on exciting
projects including Clean Up days,
community composting and urban
farming programs.
So, yes, while that church pastor and
congregation had a chuckle, I suppose
I am a Greenie, and one whom God has
called to serve in mission. And I hope
to share stories of how God is using us
to care for creation and express God’s
love with Muslims in many pulpits in
years to come.
ANDY
resonate · issue 27 · page 13