Message from the Chair

Dear friends and colleagues

2025 has started with a rush of activity for myself and many others.  If you, like me, have found the

 past few months challenging, I encourage you to take time to pause and remember that God is still in control even when the world we live in becomes increasingly governed by fear and anxiety.  Our world is increasingly overwhelmed with noise and stimulation from every angle and news headlines or media outlets constantly feature sensational or shocking articles.  Rather than feed the system, give yourself the freedom to put down the phone, turn off the television and step away from the computer to ‘unplug’ and be reminded of God’s abundant blessings.

Take time to be present.  Watch the birds.  Look for bugs.  Marvel at a rainbow.  Praise the God who created things that grow and things that move, things that are near at hand and things that are off in the far reaches of space.  Celebrate the people who are part of your everyday life and communities.  Look for ways to support or encourage the people around you and remind them that they are valued.

As I look ahead to the next few months I am so excited about the opportunities that are coming up to join with IRCA members from around the world.  In the latest eNews you will see the dates and details for joining in the IRCA Round-the-World Prayer Zoom events happening over three days in March.  Each of the regional events will be a great opportunity to share stories with each other, connect with other people who are part of the IRCA community and celebrate what God is doing in rural places.  Each Zoom gathering will have a different host and follow a different format but each one will allow time to pray together and for each other.  I encourage you to sign up for them and join when you can.  We are planning to share some of the stories and recordings online and we encourage you to share them with other people as well.

I am also thrilled to have the opportunity to join with IRCA Oceania in Fiji in May and I look forward to finally accepting Manasa’s invitation to see what God is doing in the rural church in Fiji and Pasifika.  I encourage you all to continue praying for the team in Fiji as they finalise conference preparations and prepare to welcome delegates from across Oceania, alongside members of the IRCA leadership group.

This February eNews also includes more information about the IRCA international gathering in 2026.  Plans are coming together for welcoming the world to Sibiu, Romania in July 2026, when our conference theme will be “Roots, Faith and Identity; People and Community Living on the Land”.  More details will be shared over the coming months, but for now I encourage you all to add the dates to your calendars and begin planning.

In the midst of the chaos of life, work and the uncertainties of world politics and environmental issues, may you be reminded of hope and celebration.

Many blessings,
Dr. Heather Major
Chair, International Rural Churches Association