David Gould is one of the original members of the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care network. With Bishop Efraim Tendero, David carried most of the burden of organizing our first regional conference of the series that became the Global Campaign for Creation Care and the Gospel. He was an OMF Advocate for Creation Care at the time, based in Singapore. He’s long since retired, but we have just learned he is still busy. David has written a 3-part booklet series on Why Care for Creation that is available for free download from the OMF website.

The booklets are targeted for churches in East Asia, but we think they will be usable almost anywhere. Here is the description:

In all of the apostle Paul’s letters, the power and scope of the good news of Jesus is immense and radical. It brings peace and reconciliation with God, and between Jew and Gentile, and as Paul wrote to the Colossians, Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross so that through him God would reconcile to himself all things. While in Romans 8, we see that God’s purpose is to redeem the whole of his creation, which is waiting ‘in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed’. (Romans 8:19).

These few examples demonstrate Paul’s gospel hope is much wider than simply personal salvation. And Christ calls us to participate in this work to restore the whole of his creation by living and proclaiming, embodying and becoming good news to the nations.

Inspired by this all-encompassing good news OMF seeks to share the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness. These booklets unpack what that looks like in one significant area: caring for God’s world.

But what does all this have to do with East Asia? Through our work in East Asia we also enjoy the incredible beauty and biodiversity of that part of God’s world, while seeing how extreme weather events, deforestation, pollution of rivers and oceans, and other environmental issues disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable people in society. It’s a worldwide responsibility for the global Church, but, comes down to local churches caring for their local area. It’s an expression of love for the God who made the world, and for their neighbours, who depend on it.

Here’s her introduction:

Creation care highlights two truths for us. First, “creation” reminds us there is a Creator, the One who spoke the whole created order into being, humans and non-humans alike.

Second, “care” reminds us that humanity, as the image-bearers of God, is not meant to simply co-exist with the rest of the natural world. Instead, humanity is tasked with a special role of caring for the rest of creation – we love as God loves all of His creation.Humanity’s care of creation is about living out our dynamic, not passive, responsibility to the rest of creation.

When it comes to passion and purpose, many of us don’t draw a personal connection to the natural world. If it’s not part of our professional training or interest, we make excuses: “I don’t have a green thumb”, “I don’t really like animals” or “I don’t know the science behind soil erosion or ocean acidification”.

These kinds of excuses can lead us to conclude creation care is not for us since we don’t witness its impact at the personal level. It may be even harder to see the direct correlation between caring for creation and our Christian faith and discipleship.

Creation care should not be a sideline issue for followers of Jesus. Our love for Jesus is directly connected to knowing that the One we worship is also Lord of all creation, the King of the entire cosmos. We must remember then that our deepening personal relationship with the Creator of the universe is interconnected with cultivating a flourishing relationship with the rest of creation.

Where do we begin? Here are five keys to guide us…

Click through for Jasmine’s five keys. You’ll be glad you did!

Jasmine Kwong serves with OMF, as well as serving as a member of the LWCCN leadership team. She is currently based in the Philippines where she is raising awareness about creation care issues and engaging with other like-minded people. She often admires the many endemic species found only in these islands and when possible, she enjoys diving below the surface among beautiful corals. She shares the vision of shalom where one day all of humanity will reconcile with their Creator and the rest of creation.