Freedom Churches | International Justice Mission

Become an IJM Freedom Church

Join a global movement of churches fighting to end slavery and violence in our lifetime.

What is an IJM Freedom Church?

Freedom Churches partner with IJM in the work of justice in three ways: Generosity, Prayer, Action. Becoming an IJM Freedom Church is a way for your whole church to connect with God’s heart for justice by committing to prayer, action and generosity in the movement to end slavery in our lifetime.

If God has put this call on your heart, catalyse your church for justice by becoming a Freedom Church.

Become a freedom church >> What church leaders are saying

What is the link between church and justice?

40+ million people are trapped in slavery today. As God’s people, we can help change the story.

We worship a God of justice whose cry is “Let my people go!” and who calls us to stand up for those who are oppressed, exploited and in poverty.

Get Started >>

Begin your journey of justice.

IJM Freedom Churches are key partners in the fight to see slavery ended. Freedom Churches are churches who commit to Prayer, Action and Generosity.

1. Prayer: Join a global move of prayer

Building a world free from slavery begins in prayer. Join churches across the world in making justice and freedom part of your prayer agenda.

2. Action: Make justice part of your church DNA

Whether it's hosting a worship night or running a Freedom Sunday, your church has a role to play in the fight to end modern slavery.

3. Generosity: Choose to help send rescue

Commit to building a world free from slavery and violence through regular financial support. Every offering is vital to sending rescue.

HOW DOES IJM HELP?

It starts with you

When you make contact using the form below, a member of our Church Mobilisation team will be in touch to help you begin your journey. It's not just church leaders who can sign up (though we'd love that if that's you!) - our Church Champions don't have to be staff or leaders, they can be a church member who's passionate about justice. We’ll provide you with all you need to talk to your church about taking the first steps to becoming a Freedom Church.

Together, we can build a future free from slavery and violence.

As your church continues to engage in prayer, action and generosity, you’ll receive an IJM Freedom Church certificate to celebrate your ongoing commitment to freedom and justice. But becoming a Freedom Church is just the start of the journey - we want to partner with you for the long term, providing you with personal contact, resources and news from the frontline.

IJM’s commitment to church partners:

News from the frontline. Be the first to know what's happening on the frontline of the fight for justice, and receive up to the minute prayer requests from the field.

Personal IJM contact. A dedicated IJM contact from our Church Mobilisation team will provide you with ongoing support as you make freedom and justice part of your church's DNA, and you will have unique opportunities to request IJM speakers.

Tailored resources. We'll assist you with resources and digital assets to inspire your church family to engage deeply with issues of justice and the fight for freedom.

What's it like being a Freedom Church with IJM?

"The more I learn about IJM's work, the more I treasure our small involvement. We are honoured to partner with their life-changing work across the world. May God continue to impress upon us His heart for justice - and what that looks like!"

Laura Campbell Lead pastor, Re:Hope West End, Glasgow

"IJM has helped our church's step-by-step journey of discovering God's heart for the oppressed. It has has awakened us to hugely disturbing instances of injustice across the globe, but also inspired us with incredible stories of rescue, restoration, healing and hope. It has been a privilege to partner with IJM in recent years."

Gordon Best Minister, Newmills Presbyterian, Northern Ireland

"IJM helps you think, pray and live differently. A global organisation, working in local contexts, it helps us as a church see the world as God sees it - and resolve to see it become the way it should be. Their work is dangerous, life saving and, sadly, vital."

Dave Richards Reverend, St Paul’s & St George’s, Edinburgh

"I am excited that the church I lead is becoming a Freedom Church but I get really excited when I think about what would happen if lots of churches partner with IJM."

Rich Johnson Vicar, All Saints Worcester

Got questions?

Read our FAQs >>

I'd like to start my Freedom Church journey!

Get Started >>

What happens when I register my interest?

A member of our Church Mobilisation team will be in touch via email to find out more about you and how we can best support you in the next steps. Whether you're keen to sign up, or just exploring Freedom Church, they’ll answer any questions you have and send you everything you need to get started on your Freedom Church journey.

I’m not a church leader - what can I do?

We would love to invite you to become an IJM Church Champion! IJM Church Champions are the voice for IJM in their church community.

We'd love you to encourage your church to become a Freedom Church (we have some great resources to help you with that), and there are others ways to get involved too - from starting prayer meetings to helping host an IJM Freedom Sunday or more generally ensuring that the work of justice is on your church's radar. Register your interest above and we’ll be in touch about how you can get started in your church.

We’re a small church, can we still take part?

Yes! Freedom Church is for churches of any size, style, age and denomination to engage more deeply with issues of justice and freedom. We'd love you to join!

Do we have to commit a certain amount financially to be a Freedom Church?

No! We are grateful for any level of regular financial giving and coupled with prayer and action, you will be a Freedom Church. We ask that you prayerfully consider what generosity may look like in your context.

What can I do as an individual?

If your church isn’t ready to become a Freedom Church, there’s still plenty that you can do as an individual. Become a Freedom Partner to send rescue to those trapped in slavery, or consider volunteering as a Champion to use your time, voice, and passion to end slavery in our lifetime.

What does IJM do?

IJM is the biggest international anti-slavery organisation. Our team of lawyers, social workers, investigators and advocates are fighting to end slavery in our lifetime.

IJM works to find and free people from slavery and violence and to make sure that perpetrators are held to account. We've worked with police to free over 76,000 people and seen slavery decrease by up to 86% in places where we've worked. You can find out more about modern slavery and our proven plan to end it here.

IJM also works to stop other kinds of exploitation, including violence against women and children and police abuse of power. We work to support and equip justice systems around the world to protect people in poverty from violence.

Is the Church Champion a paid member of staff?

Church Champions are incredible volunteers who have committed to using their time, voice and passion to make justice part of their church’s agenda. You don't have to be a church staff member to be a Church Champion and we will give you all the support you need to be a powerful voice for justice.

Why should my church partner with IJM?

40 million people are in slavery globally, Slavery today is bigger than ever, but also more stoppable than ever. We believe that Freedom Churches play a vital role in supporting our work to end modern day slavery. We have a proven plan to eliminate slavery everywhere, but we need your help. You can find out more about our work here.

I'd like to request an IJM speaker

That's great! Submit your request on the form on the Request a Speaker page and a member of IJM's Churches team will be in touch shortly to arrange logistics!