Stories

Last week, Faith2Share had the privilege of attending the Ignite conference, organised by one its members, CMS Ireland. This annual gathering brings the CMSI family together to reflect on the impact of their local mission partnerships, including those with CMS Africa and AsiaCMS. At the conference, CMSI unveiled its new year-long theme, Wading into Justice, which challenges Christians to consider their response to urgent justice issues in today’s world.

A powerful moment came during a panel discussion on the recent racially motivated riots in the UK, including Northern Ireland. These riots, involving both Catholics and Protestants, reignited memories of the Troubles, but this time, both sides turned their anger not against each other, but toward asylum seekers. Despite the progress made since the Good Friday Agreement, deep divisions along religious lines persist, but everyone is united in the desire not to return to those dark days.

Testimonies from a Sudanese and a Syrian asylum seeker highlighted the complex intersection of immigration, poverty, and community tensions. Local workers noted that the worst riots erupted in deprived areas, where people feel their own needs are being overlooked. The cry for justice is often drowned by personal struggles, creating cycles of frustration and division—a challenge felt not just in the UK, but across Europe and beyond.

The session posed a critical question: How can Christians respond creatively to such challenges? The theme of Wading into Justice calls for us to immerse ourselves in these complex issues, navigating the murky waters while clinging to the biblical mandate for justice, as expressed in Philippians 4:10-14. True justice demands that we stand together across borders and divisions, bringing healing and hope where it’s needed most.

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