Caring for those who care for creation
The Oikos Network brings together Christians from around the world who are passionate about caring for the environment and tackling climate change in their churches and communities.
Oikos, Greek for ‘home’, was the brainchild of Ruth Valerio when she worked at Tearfund. She’d noticed that many Christian leaders around the world were passionate about addressing climate and creation care but felt isolated and under-resourced. "I was meeting Christians all around the world who were caring for God’s world but often feeling lonely and encountering similar issues despite different contexts," says Ruth. "There is such power in meeting like-minded people, and so inspiring to learn, share and pray together."
After chatting with A Rocha’s Dave Bookless, whose work had led him to the same conclusion, the Oikos Network was launched in 2022 in partnership with Micah Global, Renew Our World, the Anglican Alliance and the Lausanne / World Evangelical Alliance Creation Care Network, and initially led and resourced by Tearfund. A Rocha has recently taken on the leadership of the network.
“As Christians, we have a biblical mandate to care for God’s creation – which includes protecting it. Communities are being torn apart by the overconsumption of the world’s resources and the climate crisis. There are so many incredible people around the world who are already mobilising their churches and communities to take action,” says Kuki Rokhum, Director of Church Engagement, A Rocha International. “And that’s where the Oikos Network plays such an important role.”
Oikos connects people from around the world who are already or want to start mobilising their churches and communities to take action on environmental care. Through online communities Oikos seeks to restore, reinvigorate and reinspire Christian environmental activists, offering opportunities to learn from each other and overcome problems together. Most importantly, online communities can help to overcome the challenges of isolation, loneliness and burnout that so many Christian activists face.
Oikos runs 6-month cohorts that meet online once a month for a short plenary followed by discussions in breakout rooms. There are two groups across two time zones, reaching English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speakers. Facilitators guide the discussions, allowing participants to share their thoughts on the talk, exchange knowledge and experiences, support each other and pray together.
“I really enjoy hearing about different aspects of everyone’s journeys in each session. I am inspired by what people are learning, reflecting on and experiencing in their current lives and work,” comments Jamine, who lives in the Philippines.
“The Oikos Network has become a space to build friendships with like-minded people from across the globe through online peer-support groups and events,” says Kuki. “Together, we can learn how to effectively influence the church and our wider community in the vital area of whole creation care.”
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For more information and to join a group visit https://oikos-network.org.
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