A Rocha raises environmental awareness at large Christian gatherings

On 26 and 27 May, several of our Ambassadors and staff attended three major Christian events:

At the Perspectives Congress: Rachel Calvert, our President, and Julie Toledo, A Rocha Ambassador, had the opportunity to lead two ‘Planet Perspective’ workshops on the theme of climate change, rising energy prices and the collapse of biodiversity… As Christians, we affirm that ‘Jesus is Lord’: this earth was created by him and for his glory. But are we able to face the current crises from the perspective of the cross and resurrection?

This was this first time these issues were addressed at a Perspectives conference outside of the youth programme. The audience, mainly pastors and church leaders, was attentive and curious.

At the gathering of the Fédération des Eglises Baptistes de France (Baptist Federation of France), on the occasion of the Federation’s 100th anniversary: Jean-François Mouhot, our director, Timothée Schmutz, a member of the A Rocha France board of directors, and Samuel Gruffaz, A Rocha Ambassador, had a stand and spoke in a plenary session to present A Rocha’s activities and to challenge the participants on the role of Christians in relation to the current environmental crisis. Numerous contacts were established and A Rocha will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Baptist Federation again during the ‘Connexion’ youth event [https://www.connexion-feebf.com/] from 28 to 30 October 2022.

Jean-François Mouhot, Director of A Rocha France, at the Baptist Federation meeting

At the UNEPREF (Union Nationale des Églises Protestantes Réformées Evangéliques de France) National Convention. Katie Young, A Rocha Ambassador, had a stand: an opportunity to discuss with participants the importance of ecology in relation to other issues. It was a great opportunity to show the links between ecology and social justice, and the fact that we cannot care about the poorest without caring about ecology!

Katie Young, A Rocha ambassador, at the national convention of l’UNEPREF