Working in Harpenden, England with the Center for Advocacy, Law, and Justice (“CALJ”) this past summer has been both a gift for the soul and insight into the integration of faith and legal advocacy. CALJ was founded by two attorneys, Allen and Julie Anjo. They are missionaries and my supervisors; their legal and international advocacy work is their ministry.
CALJ consists of two different branches. The first is the law firm which practices in a variety of areas including immigration, corporate compliance, privacy, and even land/estate. I had the opportunity to assist in a wide range of legal matters with the law firm: I helped mitigate liability in a property sale transaction by drafting the legal risks and presenting strategic alternatives, protected a client’s assets by consolidating promissory notes into one contract, conducted research on UK driving and immigration compliance laws, and even drafted a residential electric vehicle policy.
The second part of CALJ is the center, which is rooted in Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The center focuses on educating people and governments through seminars and trainings on godly governance and holistic Biblical advocacy, interceding on behalf of governments and societal issues, and cooperating with other organizations (e.g. the UN and other nonprofits) towards a common goal such as promoting families. With the center, I attended various events and trainings including a panel where individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system shared about the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration support as well as creating long-term opportunities after prison. I also attended the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland and gained insight into current international human rights issues. I also participated in the Faith and Feminism Forum where attendees explored how faith traditions and human rights frameworks can work to promote dignity, equality, and inclusion for women. In terms of trainings, I learned about Holistic Biblical Advocacy, which provided a biblically grounded perspective on approaching and addressing societal systemic issues, and Bible-Based Trauma Healing Equipping, which provided tools to both facilitate a trauma healing group and learn how to walk with people who experienced trauma and other unseen wounds of the heart.
As I reflect on my time in England, I recall a quote from one of my favorite books, The Little Prince, which says, “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” So, what is essential? Under every visible activity, work product, experience, what I found essential was to seek the invisible God in it. God created us as His handiwork in Christ Jesus for good works He prepared in advance for us to do, and He made us at this time, in this place, that we should seek Him and His kingdom first. (Eph. 2:10; Acts 17:26-29; Matt. 6:33, emphasis added). As I sought to apply this truth, I recognized God’s glory the most through the beauty of people made in His image, systems promoting peace and human flourishing, nature, and the faith of fellow believers.
I remember the people the Lord has allowed me to meet. I treasure getting to meet Ugbana Oyet, the Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons, who so humbly shared about his life and family and asked about mine (he even coordinated a special tour around the Palace of Westminster). I treasure the stories of the different missionaries I’ve met here. Whether it be strong but gentle-hearted men and women who survived extreme traumatic incidents, or others who are presently facing difficult familial, health, financial, or immigration concerns, I recognized that the Lord is not finished writing their story, and He meets them in the middle of it too. What is equally essential to remember is that even faceless systems such as the UN or the imposing English monarchy are also made up of image bearers who have a story and a deep need for Jesus. Seeing people this way helps me pray for them and the systems or government bodies they represent, and I view it as a privilege to be both a witness, interceder, and carrier of parts of the story God is writing in their lives.
In addition to seeing God’s glory through people, I also saw it through the existence of systems designed to promote peace and security through intergovernmental diplomacy. I recognized through my time in the UN that some human sufferings are large-scale, systemic issues—whether that be the Israel-Palestine conflict or the ongoing Sudanese civil war— and thus states carry the primary responsibility to address them. As necessary as it is to have people on the ground assisting with the immediate needs of individuals, it is equally important to have God-fearing people who work to eliminate the root issues that contribute to the pervasiveness of an issue in the first place.
As I heard the magnitude of both individual and large-scale issues, I became aware of the temptation to grow discouraged by the magnitude and intensity of darkness in this world. However, Julie reminded us to seek out beauty not only despite the evil but because of it. I remember to seek the beauty of God’s glory displayed in the English hillsides spotted with red poppies, the sunset bursting with hues of magenta, and English homes well-made. I remember to view all things in this world considering the cross of Jesus Christ—and the inseparable love of God because of it. I remember that hope, joy, and peace cannot be found in any one system (necessary as they are) nor even in accomplishing wonderful things in this world; rather, it is through the indwelling presence of God with me wherever I go and whatever I do, that gives the world another glimpse of who God is.
Lastly, I am reminded of God’s beauty through the faith of the CALJ team. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) says “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Habakkuk 2:3-4 (ESV) says “…the righteous shall live by his faith…” Whether it be Julie inviting us to pray and ask God for wisdom in very real questions and tasks before us or even hearing the testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the Anjos’ lives, I witness God’s grace, as they continue to seek to act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God both as a family and as they lead CALJ. (Mic. 6:8 NIV). Although I am not certain what direction the Lord will lead me in the future, I believe He has allowed me to observe and have these experiences for a reason. My hope is that the Lord would also continue to refine the eyes of my heart to treasure the essential and to continue to hold the ultimate hope of Jesus with greater passion, joy, and wisdom into whatever place He leads me.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.