CREATION HOPE
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Jasmine is a Canadian currently based in the Philippines , where she is a creation care advocate with OMF International ( www . omf . org ). Her work involves two roles : raising awareness that caring for creation is part of the Christian response to loving God the Creator , and drawing connections about how creation ultimately points us to the Creator , through engagement with others . She also networks with others who are engaged in different aspects of creation care within the Philippines and beyond . Jasmine serves on the board of Christians in Conservation , an A Rocha International associated project in Manila .
JS In a nutshell , what is OMF International about ?
JK OMF seeks to bring the gospel to all the peoples of East Asia and to help foster indigenous biblical church movements . The work is based in the geographic regions of East and Southeast Asia , but also extends among the diaspora of people from these regions . Although many understand OMF as a church planting mission , our work actually ranges across a broad spectrum , including missional business , theological education , medical work and creation care . The diversity in our work is linked to our mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness – which includes not just a concern for people but also other creatures and the very places these people live .
JS Some people might be wondering how and why OMF came to have a creation care advocate ? How did it become part of their mandate to plant churches ?
JK The basic principles and foundation of creation care have long been there within OMF , although not explicitly articulated . Over the last handful of years , OMF has begun recovering a topic that has been largely missing from Christian circles as a whole , where people ’ s understanding of God ’ s mission often omits creation care . My colleague , David Gould , who has been the International Facilitator for Creation Care , has been instrumental in this process .
OMF is trying not to add on creation care as a separate engagement , but is striving to integrate it within our existing work among local communities and local places . We are beginning to more thoroughly express the biblical basis for creation care and to more thoughtfully engage with it both as part of living out and sharing our Christian faith .
At the same time , ‘ creation care ’ provides some terminology and support for colleagues who are already engaged in practice , both in lifestyle and in ministry . In addition , as many people in East Asia continue to depend on the land and the sea , indigenous people naturally integrate these issues into the way they live .
JS What qualifications does a creation care advocate need ? And how do you and the role fit together – what is your story with creation care ?
JK At this point in my life I can look back and say ‘ Wow , God ’ s hand has been in it the whole time .’ As my parents are originally from Hong Kong , I was given a Chinese name , which is pronounced as Hay-Yin . The first character , Hay , means dawn and the second character , Yin , translates to nature . So it ’ s kind of incredible to me that my current creation care focus is somehow linked to the name given to me at birth .
My childhood dream was to be a wildlife or marine biologist . I ended up getting a conservation biology degree and worked in that realm for a little while , before transitioning to food security and community development . But I always wondered how my faith connected with my different interests and work experiences . Because although I was working with genuine people who cared for humanity and for the planet , I heard very few talking about Christian faith in my work circles . I wondered how to reconcile the fact that while I worked alongside other people lovers and planet lovers who were not necessarily Jesus lovers , where were the other Jesus lovers ?
It ’ s been a long , slow journey but over time , different intersections have fallen into place . The main one was recognizing that creation care is first and foremost God ’ s issue , not mine .