Genesis Programme

Alongside its practical local conservation projects, A Rocha is working to help the Christian church in the UK to recapture God’s original commission for mankind to care for all that he has made. Our Genesis Programme is working to impact the next generation of church leaders and to resource today's church.

Genesis Programme

Church Leadership

We held a national leadership conference, Hope for the Planet in central London on November 24th 2005. With speakers including Dr Elaine Storkey, Prof. Sir Ghillean Prance, Sir John Houghton and Prof Alister McGrath, this theologically focussed day was attended by 250 church leaders coming to learn how God's plan for salvation embraces all of his creation. To order the CD-ROM which features the plenary talks, please contact our uk office for more details uk@arocha.org .

Bible and theological colleges - during 2005 worked with 6 colleges as part of their existing student programmes and are piloted 'Considering Creation', 4-days of experiential learning, journeying of through the Welsh countryside and mountains. Following research and consultation, this area of work will be extended in future years as part of our major drive to engage with the next generation of church leadership.

Today's church

Environment Sunday - our 3-year target is for more than 1000 churches across the UK to celebrate Environment Sunday, which coincides with United Nations’ World Environment Day. This year has seen 100% increase in the use of the sale of Environment Sunday packs in the UK. In addition an equivalent number are downloaded and used overseas.

A Rocha Magazine - Many in our churches today are recognising their responsibility to believe, think and live differently. In order to help with this, following a 3-month research programme, we launched a new magazine in February 2006. Including news of A Rocha work around the world, this will resource everyday people with a range of articles from theology to lifestyle.

The Christian Community - Our ongoing programme of church education continues, with this year around 10,000 people hearing our message through their church services, conferences etc. In addition we are working with larger Christian organisations such as Tearfund, Stewardship and Premier Radio to help the church recover the message of creation care.

Regional Representatives - As a development of our church speaking programme, we are initiating a programme of regional reps. Trained in representing A Rocha, and equipped with resources, these volunteers will represent A Rocha at events and respond to requests for church-speakers.

A book of creation focussed bible-studies , Creation Care, that draw on A Rocha’s international work, was launched at Hope for the Planet in Nov. 2005 by the Bible Reading Fellowship

In partnership with Scripture Union we are preparing a holiday-club resource for national release in 2007. This will be run by church groups up and down the UK and help children explore God’s ongoing relationship with his creation in an exciting way.