Over 1 - 3 November 2025 more than 140 people from across the Common Grace movement had the incredible opportunity to gather on Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country, Canberra, for Common Grace's 2025 Let Justice Flow Conference.
“It’s a privilege to be gathered with Christians from across the nation, spanning a breadth of denominations, backgrounds and ages - united by a heart to pursue Jesus and to speak up for justice”. Gershon Nimbalker, Common Grace National Director
Common Grace’s conference program was shaped by the wisdom and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders, and emphasised relationship-based advocacy - providing a unique space for deep listening, storytelling, and collaboration.
For three days, we learnt, prayed and acted together to see justice flow across Australia and beyond.
Our 2025 conference speakers included theologians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders, climate scientists and experts, and community advocates, who helped delegates delve into the crucial issues of First Nations and climate justice.
Day One opened with a beautiful Welcome to Country from Aunty Serena Williams and a deep listening session led by Safina Stewart and Jane Kelly. We also had the incredible opportunity to hear from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers on ‘Justice for Future Generations’ in a Yarning Circle guided by Adam Gowen with Aunty Shirli Congoo, Nathan Tyson and Cameron Balcombe.
Our afternoon wrapped up with a powerful session from our Climate Panel facilitated by Jane Kelly with Rev Alimoni Taumoepeau, Dr Felicity McCormack, Dr Phillipa McCormack, Dr Mick Pope and Dr Byron Smith inviting us to confront the realities facing us in our future of 2050 - to look beyond what is, to the hope and good news God is inviting us to speak into now.
“This was by far and away the best conference I have ever been to. The Common Grace Conference outshone them all as we were all one in both our passion for injustice and in our love and devotion to our Loving Creator God who gave us this world to enjoy and take care of and who calls us to love our neighbour as ourselves.” Geoff, conference attendee
Day Two of the conference opened with a beautiful church service led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders, followed by time for teams to connect and prepare for conversations with federal representatives at Parliament House.
We also had the blessing to hear from our Advocacy in Action panel session facilitated by Gershon Nimbalker in conversation with James Harris, Ellaina Welsman, Jono Barnett and Rev Belinda Groves.
Our final day of the conference, Monday 3 November, was an opportunity for delegates to gather at Parliament House and meet with over 40 Members of Parliament and Senators. They called on our nation’s leaders to listen deeply to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in pursuing a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to youth justice #RaiseTheAge #SafeFreeFlourishing, and take bolder action on climate solutions for the protection and flourishing of all God’s creation #RenewAustraliaForAll #ClimateActionNow #MakeBigPollutersPay
As we wrap up our 2025 Let Justice Flow Conference, we continue to pray for our delegates and the movement of Common Grace, in a closing blessing shared by Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker.
. . .
Go now as people of prophetic imagination,
those who have felt God’s cry for justice,
who have joined creation and Creator in groaning at
the impacts of sin and devastation,
yet still see the new world God is birthing among us,
who know that in Jesus a new world has come.
Let your hearts stay tender to a planet in pain,
as Country, land, sky and water, creature and family
ache under the weight of our neglect and harm.
Let your spirits burn for our young people —
for those too often met with fear instead of understanding,
punishment instead of compassion.
May you take heart from the One who is light in the darkness.
May you dream dreams of a world made right, and a Kingdom that has come.
And may you join your Lord and Saviour in speaking them into reality.
Go to speak truth that unsettles complacency.
Go to act with courage that refuses despair.
Go to love with a grace that disarms and restores.
May the Spirit of the Living God stir in you the daring imagination
to see rivers running in deserts,
justice rolling down like mighty waters,
and the dream of God made real
in your streets, your churches, your lives.
Go
and let justice flow.
Amen
Thank you to everyone who was with us for our 2025 Common Grace conference!
We can't wait to gather again as a movement of Common Grace for our conference in 2026 - Book your ticket to join us 15 - 17 August 2026.
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We long to see justice flow across these lands (Amos 5.24) - life-giving, thirst quenching, refreshing justice that brings hope, healing, nourishment, and flourishing for all.
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Photo Credits
Conference photos L - R: 2025 delegates walking into the Conference held at ACU, Canberra. Welcome by Safina Stewart and Gershon Nimbalker. Adam Gowen leading a time of cultural reflection before the First Nation’s Yarning Circle. Bottom row: 2025 conference delegates.
Monday Nov 3rd photos L - R: Common Grace delegates gathered on the front lawns of Parliament House. Safina Stewart leading a time of reflection alongside Dr Felicity McCormack, Adam Gowen and musician Luke Vassella.
PH Meeting photos LR: Top Left: Jon O’Brien, Eliza Johnson, Senator David Shoebridge, Arieta Fergie, Safina Stewart. Middle Left: Melissa Price MP, Aunty Donna Meehan. Top Right: Dave Baker, Fiona Burrows, Jodie Belyea MP, Kelli Hughes, Elise Kelly. Bottom Left: Gershon Nimbalker, Naomi Swindon, Paul Minty, Kate Thwaites MP, Matt Graydon, Tracey Graydon, Jack Graydon (although I could have the brothers around the wrong way), Steve Graydon. Bottom Centre: (hard to see this photo properly and I can’t locate the original on the Google Drive) Paul Johanson, James Harris, Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Aunty Shirli Congoo, Frank Sanders, Toby Sanders, Sue Sanders. Bottom Right: Bill Thomas, Josh Squires, Somerset Drayton, Nicolette Boele MP, Sue Bolton, Bill Bolton