John Ray Initiative (JRI)

Founded in 1997 by a number of environmental scientists who are also Christians, the John Ray Initiative held its first Introductory Seminars on how Christians should approach the environment the following year in Manchester and in London. In 1999, JRI held a conference in Oxford entitled “A Changing Environment—How do WE Change?”, introductory seminars in London and Cheltenham, and a theological discussion with prominent United Kingdom (UK) theologians and biblical scholars. It also established its headquarters in Cheltenham in 1999. The following year, JRI sponsored lectures on ecological theology, extended its Briefing Papers series, and held an introductory seminar in Bradford. 2001 consultations and conferences addressed issues such as: Business and Sustainable Development, Environmental Decision Making in a Technological Age, Global Warming, and Faith and Science exchange. In May of 2001, JRI entered a new phase of expansion and development with the appointment of Peter Carruthers as its first Executive Director. At the same time, JRI joined with the Church Mission Society and the Agricultural Christian Fellowship to become a partner in the Agriculture and Theology Project, which had been launched in the mid-1990s. In 2002, JRI held and co-sponsored conferences and workshops on globalization, sustainable development, climate change (in cooperation with the Au Sable Institute in the United States of America), the farm crisis, and ecological biblical interpretation. Along with Christian Rural Concern, JRI launched a new certificate course in Christian Rural and Environmental Studies in the spring of 2003. The certificate is granted through Keele University’s Centre for Continuing and Professional Education, and the course includes eight modules dealing with agriculture, ecology, economics, and Christianity.