As a church, we are committed to seeing Justice in our time.

As Christians, we are called by God to seek justice, and pursue it. Our heart for those in need is sparked in prayer when we encounter Jesus, the one who transformed the lives of the poor, broken and neglected.

We need to pray for justice but we also need to do it; to be the answer to our prayers and go to those God leads us to.

Why Justice Week?

Usually, twice a year, we eat-simply together to pool our grocery money and give it all away. This money goes towards those in their time of greatest need. In January we deferred Soup Week due to high COVID cases but didn’t want to lose our pursuit of Justice, hence Justice Week was born.

We are buoyed by our recent visits from Dr Ruth Valerio (Tearfund), and Scot and Misty Bower (CSW and The Matrix Trust, respectively) - sharing with us their perspectives of Justice and how it has been embodied in their lives.

What will we do?

Each house church this week will focus on three major justice issues.

Local - Child Poverty

More than 1 in 5 children under 16 years-old in Thurrock are growing up in poverty (21.2%), higher than the national rate (20.1%) (Thurrock Council). With current ONS Census data, this equates to more than an estimated 9,193* children (ONS).

Each house church will use a template letter that we will send to the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr. James Halden, to ask how we as a collective can mobilise all resources that we have, to tackle this social problem.

READ: Our Schools Team was recently recognised at the Essex High Sheriff Awards for responding to many of the outcomes of child poverty.

National - BLM, Two Years On

The death of George Floyd, in May 2020, resurfaced underlying problems of racial justice around the world, particularly championed by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. It acted as a catalyst for the widespread coversation at the forefront of the mainstream media. As a church we had our own response and reflections on this lead by the Olajugbagbe family.

Two years on, we want to bring the conversation back to the table to reflect on our own personal learning and intentionality of addressing racial justice.

International - 24-7 Ibiza

Proximity Church has a long standing history with 24-7 Ibiza, as they care for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the community.

Many of us have travelled to the White Island to pray for and serve this vision.

Our friends Danny, Lydie, and their two children, have been serving the homeless in Ibiza Town for 8 years.

They currently operate out of one of the teams' homes, providing food, washing clothes, showers, storing donations, providing clothes, tents and sleeping bags. 

Alongside that they spend time on the street talking with people, sometimes praying, always aiming to love, listen and serve. They also run a successful Christmas dinner for the homeless on the streets of Ibiza!

Some teams sent to 24-7 Ibiza by Proximity Church

They tell us: “We have a lot of friends who are homeless, many have addiction problems be it alcohol or drugs. We would love to have a space where there could eventually be workshops to teach skills, or space where people could receive help for addiction struggles. Somewhere such as a third space would meet many needs and allow us to expand the way we serve people. One issue here is severe boredom: imagine if we could use a centre to run workshops or classes? Or provide a safe space for people to find rest? Or have a prayer room where they could find a moments peace and experience Jesus?'

We want to give generously to help them realise this vision for the Kingdom of God in Ibiza.

NB: Use the button to give online, please include a reference to “Justice Week” in your gift.

*21.1% of 43,365 children under the age of 16 in Thurrock.