Freedom Churches | International Justice Mission

Ruby survivor of online sexual exploitation of children

Get your church involved as a Freedom Church

Your church could join the global movement of churches fighting to stop slavery and violence in our lifetime as a Freedom Church.

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.

I want to find out more >> What are church leaders are saying?

Begin your church's journey of justice.

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 bring people to safety from slavery and violence

Commit to building a world free from slavery and violence through regular financial support. Every offering is vital in helping bring people to safety from violence.

I'd like to start my Freedom Church journey!

Get Started >>

HOW DOES IJM HELP >>

Read our FAQs >>

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 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."

Rev Dave Richards St Paul’s & St George’s in Edinburgh

"IJM has helped our church's step-by-step journey of discovering God's heart for the oppressed. It 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

"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?

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 55,000 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?

50 million people are trapped in slavery globally today. But modern day slavery is more stoppable than ever. We believe that Freedom Churches play a vital role in supporting our work to end modern day slavery and stop violence. We have a proven model to end slavery, 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!

Get in touch to speak to Kath, Church and Community Mobilisation Lead, or a member of our friendly churches team to find out more about how your church can begin partnership and get involved or fill in the form below.

Email us >>