International Christian charity, Tearfund is partnering with the UK’s Black Majority Churches to launch a new platform called The Well. This has been created with, by and for Black Christians and Black Majority Churches. Its vision is to collaborate with Black British local churches, communities, individuals, institutions and organisations throughout the UK, in a unified and reimagined response to issues of global extreme poverty, injustice and inequality around the world.
"Black Majority Churches have a sense of responsibility in this space and a unique perspective and proximity to the needs of the people, giving a great richness to possibilities and partnership", said Seth Pinnock, Tearfund’s Head of African & Caribbean Engagement. "In my time at Tearfund, good progress has been made to include more diverse voices in tackling world poverty, but The Well is our greatest move yet."
The Well has already received support from church leaders, including Bishop Wayne Malcom, leader of iCan Community Church in East London. "At last, the headlines are changing and we are seeing black initiatives thriving and leading with solutions based thinking. The Well is our opportunity to change a narrative that has previously served to reinforce white supremacy and perpetuate a false myth of black incompetence. This is our church’s time to come together and make a significant impact in the fight to eradicate global poverty."
In January 2021, Tearfund held Declaration, a successful and powerful national prayer week in collaboration with TV channel TBN UK. The seven days united thousands of people from across the UK in an authentic time of prayer and worship. Dynamic worship leaders and speakers prayed out in faith over personal challenges and joined together to lift up world issues like global poverty and racial injustice. Declaration was a significant step in Tearfund’s journey to engage Black Majority Churches in its call to end extreme poverty.
"The launch of The Well is one of the most significant and exciting UK-focused initiatives Tearfund has ever supported," said Nigel Harris, Tearfund’s Chief Executive. "Black Majority Church leaders and their congregations have a unique history and perspective, and we are committed to continuing to strengthen our relationships. If Tearfund seeks to serve and inspire the whole UK church then Black Majority Churches must be actively involved in all our plans and communications. Collectively, we can be a force for good in the eradication of extreme poverty."
One of the steps Tearfund is actively taking to change from the inside out is seeking ways to recruit more diversity to the Board of Trustee Directors and Executive Team, including adding a new representative from the Black Majority Church to the Board. The Well’s Advisory Committee will also bring voices from Black Majority churches into various leadership spaces in the organisation.
The Well has several projects planned, including the return of our annual prayer event Declaration in January 2022, a Bible study for youth and young adults, and a church community sports day in summer 2022. Awakened is an opportunity for individuals to support small-scale entrepreneurialism through Self Help Groups. The Well is also inviting Black Majority Churches and communities to work with Tearfund to suggest new initiatives to help end extreme poverty around the world.
To find out more about The Well, visit www.tearfund.org/get-involved/more-ways-to-get-involved/join-a-community-group/the-well or follow The Well on social media, @TheWellOrg.
ENDS
For further information and interview requests call Oliver Needham on 07929 353530, email [email protected], or call the Tearfund Media Team on 07929 339813.
Notes to editors
About The Well
The Well is an initiative created in partnership with Tearfund. Our vision is to align, engage and collaborate with Black Majority churches and Black Christians throughout the UK, in a unified, hope-filled response to issues of global poverty, injustice and inequality. For more information about the work of The Well, please visit www.tearfund.org/get-involved/more-ways-to-get-involved/join-a-community-group/the-well.
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
