A growing number of churches around the world are seeking support as they respond to the call to care for God’s creation. One initiative walking alongside congregations is the Climate Witness Project (CWP), a joint ministry of the Office of Social Justice and World Renew that has supported churches in this work since 2015.
Increasingly, churches are taking a deeper approach to stewardship—looking beyond finances and property to recognize their responsibility toward the whole of creation. What was once seen as a secondary concern is becoming central to how many congregations understand faithfulness today.
This movement extends across denominations and contexts, as churches look for ways to respond to environmental challenges affecting their communities and the wider world.
“When I was growing up, I remember learning in catechism the importance of the four Ts of stewardship—time, talent, treasure, and trees,” said Wendy Hammond, Director of Church and Community Engagement for World Renew United States. “Today’s young people sense the urgency, and as I visit countries in which World Renew works that are affected by climate change, I’m glad that the Climate Witness Project provides a way for churches to raise awareness and do something to help.”
Equipping Churches for Faithful Action
The Climate Witness Project offers a network and practical resources that support education, worship, energy stewardship, and advocacy, explained Steve Mulder, coordinator of the project. “More churches are approaching us and asking for resources to help them address climate change,” said Mulder. “We can equip them with knowledge and tools they can use to make a real difference. With over 1,200 partners from hundreds of congregations, we are facilitating churches learning from one another.”
Andrew Oppong, a member of the CWP leadership team, noted that many congregations are discovering the value of shared leadership in creation care.
“[We have seen] grassroots leaders in churches change the culture of their congregation,” said Oppong. “For instance, we’ve seen churches rethink how their communion is served—moving away from single-use plastic. We’ve also seen congregations form creation care teams that sustain this work over time.”
Rooted in Faith, Responding Together
At the heart of this growing engagement is a shared conviction that caring for creation is an essential expression of Christian faith. Across denominations, church leaders and members increasingly recognize environmental degradation and climate change as moral and spiritual concerns that call for thoughtful, faithful action—both personally and collectively.
In recent years, the Climate Witness Project has developed a wide range of resources, partnered with worship leaders to create creation-focused liturgies and prayers, and supported regional connectors who build relationships with churches, individuals, and local communities.
The project has also hosted training and dialogue events—such as film screenings, book discussions, and public conversations—and partnered with other creation care organizations. Through these efforts, congregations have been inspired to start community gardens, explore renewable energy options, conduct energy audits, and reconsider how their investments align with their values.
“We’re grateful that Climate Witness Project resources are being shared and adapted by congregations in many places,” said Oppong. “We’ve seen churches connect through the CWP and discover opportunities to collaborate with other creation care efforts locally and across borders.”
Get Involved
Learn more about the Climate Witness Project and discover how your church or community can take meaningful steps toward faithful creation care. Together, we can witness to hope by caring for the world God loves.
