The event called ‘Declaration,’ is being organised for the first time by Christian relief and development agency Tearfund in partnership with Christian television channel TBN from January 3rd-9th 2021. It will highlight Self Help Groups and work empowering people to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.
Declaration will feature the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Bishop John Francis, Pete Greig and other faith leaders taking part in prayer, workshops and discussions on the issues facing Christians in the UK and globally. The Archbishop will be involved in a discussion about race with Karen Gibson, Pastor Agu Irukwu and others.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: 'This year longstanding racial injustice has been brought again to our attention as a sin demanding our repentance and urgent action. I'm honoured to be supporting Declaration’s week of prayer and I'm looking forward to a courageous discussion exploring how we as the Church can become more deeply transformed into a truly Jesus-shaped community.’
Pastor Agu Irukwu, Senior Pastor at Jesus House said: ‘I'm looking forward to being part of a round table debate with the Archbishop and others to explore justice, race and healing. I hope all our communities join us for this week of prayer and begin the year renewed and reawakened.'
Traditionally, the night of ‘crossover’ from one year to the next is a significant time in the Black Majority Church calendar. Almost all churches would usually congregate together to bring the New Year in through prayer, worship, and celebration, often followed by a week of dedicated corporate prayer and fasting.
Seth Pinnock, Head of African and Caribbean engagement at Tearfund said: ‘I can see no better way to start 2021 than by taking part in Declaration week to give your new year a head start. My hope is as people gather in their living rooms over the 7 days they'll have something of an upper room encounter, transformed by what they've experienced. Prayer is powerful, prayer changes things.’
Tearfund is collaborating with Christian broadcaster TBN, the UK and Europe’s most prominent Christian broadcast platform for seven one-hour programmes, 8-9pm. Every day sees a different theme and prayer focus including ‘Justice and Restoration’, ‘Church and Community’, ‘Men’, ‘Women’ and ‘Youth’ with TV, Zoom, Facebook Live and Instagram being used as tools to engage various audiences throughout the day.
For more information visit www.tearfund.org/declaration2021
ENDS
For further information or interview requests call Jasmine Flagg on 07888849109. For out of hours media enquiries please call 07929 339813.
Notes to editors:
Seth Pinnock, Head of Tearfund’s African and Caribbean team is available for interview.
3-9 January 2021
- Morning Prayer (Facebook Live) 7-8am
- Lunchtime Workshops (Zoom) 12-1.30pm
- Live Shows (TBN & YouTube) 8-9pm
- After Parties (Instagram) 9-9.30pm
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency and a member of the Disasters’ Emergency Committee. Tearfund has been working around the world for more than 50 years responding to disasters and helping lift communities out of poverty. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org
