At the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) General Council, where prophetic witness was high on the agenda, delegates turned their attention to how faith communities are addressing injustice not through charity alone, but by tackling the structures that cause it.

A spotlight fell on the Global Reformed Advocacy Platforms for Engagement (GRAPE) — a program that helps churches turn theology into public action. Launched in Kenya and South Africa in 2022 by the African Communion of Reformed Churches, GRAPE creates inclusive advocacy platforms connecting churches with ecumenical, interfaith, and civil society partners. The goal is simple but radical: to move from compassion to transformation.

Theology of the People

For Rev. Dr. Dirk Haarmann, GRAPE’s Convener, the program’s foundation is deeply theological.
“If we take seriously that God directly identifies with those living in poverty and suffering, then that conviction must be answered with very concrete actions — and this is what GRAPE tries to do,” he said. “This theological premise is with the people, not the theoretical.”

His co-convener, Rev. Dr. Claudia Haarmann, described GRAPE as a bridge between global theological vision and local realities. “It’s about getting the churches out of their safe spaces and into partnerships with civil society,” she said.

How GRAPE Works

Over a five-year period, GRAPE deploys local teams of five people annually in each country. These teams identify a root cause of injustice, collaborate with churches and communities, and provide long-term training to develop local advocates.

“It’s a way of translating the global thinking of WCRC into local churches,” said Claudia Haarmann.

A key feature of GRAPE’s method is the use of contextual Bible studies, combining scriptural reflection with real-world advocacy. At the General Council, delegates and partners didn’t just learn about the program — they were invited to join it.

Kenya: Advocating for the Right to Water

In Kenya, where at least 20 million of the country’s 55 million people lack access to safe water, GRAPE is centering its campaign on the universal right to clean water.

Rev. Lucy Wambui from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, part of the Kenyan GRAPE cohort, outlined an ambitious goal:
“By 2028, we want a guaranteed 50 liters of clean and safe drinking water — or equivalent cash compensation — for every person per day,” she said.

This is not simply about providing water, Wambui explained, but about securing justice as a human right.

South Africa: Confronting Economic Inequality

In South Africa, GRAPE’s focus is on addressing deep economic divides through the push for a universal basic income grant of at least 760 rand per month for all adults aged 18–59 by 2028.

Rev. Bonganjalo Mbenenge of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa emphasized that true change must come from within communities.
“Our strategy is quite clear: it is local. The locals must fight their fight,” he said. “We’re now at the stage of asking: how do we engage government to change policy? If we want to change the situation in our country, we must go to the root — and that means holding government accountable.”

He urged the global church to continue standing in solidarity.
“I was born in the ’80s during the struggles of apartheid, when international bodies helped change the dynamic of South Africa,” he recalled. “They can do it again. The fight for equality should continue.”

Growing Global Solidarity

Participants in the GRAPE workshop were asked a critical question: What actions could churches and the WCRC take to build international solidarity with the campaigns in Kenya and South Africa?

Ideas poured in — from organizing awareness campaigns and policy advocacy to offering spiritual and emotional support for activists under pressure.

As the session closed, Rev. Wambui led a prayer, reminding participants that justice work must always be grounded in compassion.
“At its heart, GRAPE is about emphasizing the moral and ethics of human dignity,” she said. “Let’s keep talking, keep connecting, and keep acting.”