Merry Christmas
December 18th, 2025 | For Immediate Release
Global Justice Institute
Subject: The Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Justice
Dear Friends and Fellow Followers of Jesus,
As we celebrate the birth of a holy child born in empire, in occupied territory, in a housing insecure situation (Luke 2.7), and who when still very young became a refugee (Matthew 2.14), we are reminded that our siblings throughout the world, many of whom suffer from needless scarcity, preventable and treatable diseases, and the ravages of unjust war, are, as Jesus was and as we all are, spirit-filled, divinely loved, persons of sacred value (Genesis 1.31a).
Some of the work of Global Justice Institute in 2025 has included:
+praying on site at Alligator Alcatraz in support of the unfairly detained prisoners
+supporting the abolition of capital punishment
+helping with AIDS services in the Caribbean
+providing pastoral support to pastors in places that are very difficult for the LGBTQQIAA+ children of God
+supporting a water project in Botswana
+maintaining an office in Lithuania
+supporting legal cases for Queer rights in Romania
+researching opening an office in Latin America
+partnering with the Council for Global Equality
+observing days throughout the year that call us to active justice-love and social engagement
+providing spiritual support for Queer kids in the U.S. Bible Belt
+helping a Presbyterian leader in a Muslim nation continue his seminary education
+celebrating the pastoral work of our bishops that include ministry to the unhoused, ministries to address food insecurity, marches, rallies and vigils for LGBTQ+ rights
+services for Queer youth
+year-round Gospel justice preaching
+and streaming worship services that reach people all over the world (including such places as Eastern Europe, Appalachia, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia where it is still unsafe for some to live their authentic lives out loud)
We are busy laborers in Love’s vineyard (Matthew 9.37), and your support makes that possible.
We are proud that our physical location is New York is offered at no expense to GJI by Metropolitan Community Church – New York, and that every bishop on the Council of Bishops and every member of every planning and policy team are all volunteers. That means every dime you share with the Global Justice Institute goes directly to ministry, the ministry of justice-love in a world where injustice and oppression are far too common.
Thank you, Global Justice Institute family, for believing in this work and for supporting it with your prayers and your financial contributions. We are aware than in these uncertain times gifts of any size may take courage, faith, and careful planning. We really do appreciate any gift of any size given in love and with the hope of making lives better.
We believe our divine mandate is to seek justice, love mercy, and living humbly (Micah 6.8)…and to extend this humble, merciful, justice-love to every spot on the planet. That’s why we do what we can and ask for your support so that we may continue at full steam.
Together, we can be angels announcing “good news of great joy to all people” (Luke 2.10). The good news for many would be that people see them, advocate for their human rights, and wish to help them live with dignity, sufficiency, and hope. Together, we can reach more people with this much needed good news.
Whether you give often, have given a time or two, or have never yet given to GJI, we invite you to consider making a Christmas Year-End Gift to the Global Justice Institute.
In a world where injustice seems ubiquitous, your contribution may feel small like a child playing a drum for baby Jesus (“Carol of the Drum”), but such gifts from the heart, like the widow’s mite (Mark 12.42), are rich and awesome in love. They are not wasted and combined with other gifts they make a big difference.
The Christ-child was vulnerable. There are still vulnerable children of God in need of care, compassion, and hope.
Troy Perry’s 3-Pronged Gospel: Christian Community, the Gospel Message, and Social Action is carried out by the Global Justice Institute. We are a community that touches other communities throughout the world. We bear witness to the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God, and we allow ourselves to be agents of that love with our justice seeking work.
This Christmas, let’s redouble our efforts to “bind broken hearts and proclaim liberation for captives” (Isaiah 61.1, Luke 4.21).
Thank you for your courage and compassion. May the light of Christ fill your heart and home this Christmas.
With hope, peace, joy, and love,
The Global Justice Institute Council of Bishops
Bishop Pat Bumgardner, Founder/Presiding Bishop
Bishop Jim Merritt
Bishop Robert Griffin
Bishop Durrell Watkins
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