Faith Based Environmental Initiatives in Canada

About: The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada was established in the 1880s. Their fundamental vision is to develop disciples who are Spirit-empowered, Christ-centred, and Mission-focused.

Environmental Activities:

• The Christian and Missionary Alliance are currently engaged in exploration and re-examination of their theology regarding creation.
• “Awakening the Giant: Nature’s Cry for Reconciliation” by Joanne Beach, published in the Alliance Connection magazine, Spring/Summer 2017.
• National conference workshops: “Creation! Why Care” (2016); “Creation Care as Mission” (2018).
• Co-sponsored a creation care conference in February 2017, “Grounded: Faith, Mission, and Caring for Creation.”
• In conference planning, have worked to reduce travel and paper, and make refreshments and meals more sustainable.
• Some current congregational work includes:
  • Summerland, BC: working on a co-op of four acres of land for affordable housing and farming. 
  • Development of community gardens.
  • Phasing out Styrofoam cups for coffee hour.
  • Congregational engagement is mostly due to connections with A Rocha.

Staff:

The Director of Alliance Justice and Compassion is leading the theological exploration of creation care.

Partnerships:

• A Rocha: https://arocha.ca/
• Lausanne Creation Care Network: https://www.lausanne.org/networks/issues/creation-care
• Ambrose University: https://ambrose.edu/
• Canadian Foodgrains Bank: https://foodgrainsbank.ca/
• Canadian Council of Churches: https://www.councilofchurches.ca/
• St. Michael’s, Emmanuel and Wycliff Colleges at U of Toronto: https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/about-us/toronto-school-theology
• Toccoa Falls (Alliance school in Georgia): https://tfc.edu/

Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada