Hope For Creation is a diverse and unifying Christian event endorsed by many respected Christian leaders in Australia and around the world. Some statements of endorsement are quoted below.
In Australia, Hope For Creation is also endorsed by many Christian organisations and church denominations who are supporting this event. Please see the Who Are We section for a list.
STATEMENTS OF ENDORSEMENT
Australian Christian leaders
Reverend Tim Costello AO, CEO of World Vision Australia and prominent Baptist Minister
“Hope for Creation goes to the biblical mandate of creation care. All of creation carries the imprint of its maker. Through our work with the world’s poorest people we are already seeing the dramatic impact of climate change, so this initiative calls us to speak boldly and live faithfully, to honour our call to follow Jesus.”
Reverend Alistair Macrae, National President of the Uniting Church in Australia
“As Christians, we believe that God’s will for the earth is for renewal and reconciliation, not destruction by human beings. Decisive action on climate change is one of the great challenges of our time and should be front and centre in the prayer, thought and action of all who worship the Creator and sustainer of all. The command of Jesus to ‘love our neighbour’ needs to be understood to include our neighbours who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change (the poor), those who come after us (succeeding generations) as well as our non-human neighbours who share life on this planet.”
John Beckett, National Director of Micah Challenge Australia
“While the poorest in our world suffer the effects of a changing climate, our debate [in the Australian media] has been characterised by selfish interest. In response, Christians have a voice of hope to offer. We take our responsibility as stewards of creation seriously, but as we join together pray, we remind ourselves that God is in the reconciliation and renewal business. And God is faithful – so we have reason to hope.”
Reverend Dr Gordon Preece, Director of Ethos: Evangelical Alliance Centre for Christianity and Society
“Now is a critical time for prayer and putting legs on our prayers to prevent and limit damaging climate change. By praying we groan along with creation in its suffering, but in a solidarity of hope in its glorious renewal. In prayer we also groan for liberation of the world’s poor who are already suffering most from climate change. Hope for Creation can break through the false alternatives of apathy or despair regarding climate change. I urge as many Australian Christians as possible to prioritise this day of prayer on November 6th.”
International Christian leaders
Pete Greig, Co-Founder of the 24-7 Prayer Movement, Director of Prayer for Holy Trinity Brompton & Alpha International
“Hope for Creation unites the power of prayer with the promise of action. It’s a great way for churches to support communities devastated by the consequences of climate change.”
Sir John Houghton, Christian and top climate scientist for the Nobel Peace Prize winning IPCC
“The impacts of a changing climate are devastating for our global neighbours living in poor countries. A global problem demands a global response and Hope for Creation provides a way for the church to join that response – standing together to pray and work for action.”
Elfed Godding, National Director Evangelical Alliance Wales
“The church’s response to the devastating impacts of climate change on poor communities must embody the passion of Jesus for social justice through united prayer and political engagement – Hope for Creation is exactly that. Coming together in prayer, action and campaigning is what is needed and Hope for Creation is a timely opportunity for us to do just that.”
