Just Keep Turning Up

After more than 40 years living in Tuggeranong, in Canberra’s south, Jenny and Ian Thompson have spent a lifetime investing in people.

Between them, they’ve worked for decades in the community sector, preferring to walk alongside rather than “doing for” others: including people with disability, people struggling with mental health challenges, older people and families doing it tough. Their faith has long been shaped by that same posture of relationship and belonging, particularly through their involvement in the Genesaret community.

But in recent years they have experienced a growing realisation of the pain and distress that colours our nation’s history, and the extraordinary graciousness of the Statement From The Heart. And alongside that, something else has been stirring.

“We’d come through a period where we felt quite down,” Ian reflects. “There is a sense that many Australian churches aren’t really getting out there and engaging with what’s happening in the real world.”

Then they found Common Grace.

Initially it was through the Reconciliation movement, then it was through emails, Advent reflections and the Lent Podcast.
Something about it felt different. 

Around the same time, they found themselves reflecting once again on the relationship between faith, justice and mercy. There was a growing sense that perhaps there was more they were being invited into as followers of Jesus. 

And this prompted a deeper question.

“Lord, what do you want us to do?” Jenny remembers praying. “We want to make the most of every day to make a difference.”

Let Justice Flow 2025

Attending the Let Justice Flow Conference in 2025 became a turning point for Jenny and Ian. 

“We were in tears quite a lot,” Ian says. “It was incredibly significant to walk into a space where people were actually living out their faith and being part of what’s happening in the real world.”

The strong leadership and presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices resonated deeply for both Ian and Jenny, both personally and spiritually, reflecting a long-held commitment in their own lives.

But it wasn’t just what was said. It was what people did.

From worship, to learning, to showing up at Parliament House, the conference held together faith and action in a way that felt both authentic and courageous.

“This is not just another Christian conference,” Ian says. “It’s different.”

Finding their people

After the conference, Jenny and Ian connected with others in their local Common Grace group in the Bean electorate, forming a group now affectionately known as “Common Bean.” It’s a name that works on multiple levels: their connection through Common Grace, their shared postcode, and, perhaps most importantly, a deep and abiding commitment to good coffee. 

“We all knew each other in different ways,” Jenny says. “But we just gelled.” 

While they had years of experience in advocacy and leadership, engaging directly with politicians was new. And incredibly energising. 

So when an opportunity came up to attend a Renew Australia for All meeting with Senator Katy Gallagher, to discuss Australia taking action on climate, Jenny and Ian didn’t hesitate.

“We thought - we’re in Canberra, we’ve got no excuse!” 

The meeting brought together people from across sectors - unions, educators, climate advocates. Jenny and Ian weren’t sure what to expect as people of faith stepping into that space. But what they experienced surprised them.

“As a Christian, you can sometimes feel like you’re outside the camp,” Ian says. “But we weren’t just inside, we were welcomed and encouraged.”

The training they had received at Let Justice Flow made all the difference.
“I didn’t feel nervous,” Jenny says. “We’d done it before.” 

A lifetime, still unfolding

Now in retirement, Jenny and Ian don’t see this as a winding down, but as a continuation of the work they have been doing their entire lives.

“It’s really nice to still be using those skills,” Ian says. “God is using what he’s taught us over so many years.”

There’s still a sense of what next? but it is not a question burdened with pressure. Instead, Jenny carries a simple posture:

“Just keep turning up and the Spirit will do the rest.”

When asked to describe their journey with Common Grace in one word, Ian said "courageous" and Jenny said “refreshing”

Together those words capture something of the heart of the Common Grace movement. 

A faith that shows up.
A community that feels like home.
And a renewed sense that it’s never too late to step into what God is doing in the world.

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Ian and Jenny Thompson (far left) meeting with David Smith MP, November 2025, as part of Common Grace Let Justice Flow Conference

Join Common Grace as we take action together! 

Come along to one of our upcoming Community Connection Events to meet some of the Common Grace team, connect with others in your local community and learn how we can be taking action together. Join us in Brisbane (2 May), Melbourne (9 May), Newcastle (14 May), Sydney (16 May) and Adelaide (23 May), or Online (29 April). Find out more and register here. 

Register to join us at our 2026 Let Justice Flow Conference in Canberra, 15 - 17 August. Early Bird Tickets close 30 April. Find out more about how you can put your faith into action at our Common Grace Conference and register today. 

Sign up with your email on the Common Grace website to keep up to date with all the ways we are taking action together.

Learn more about our work together here.

Please share these invitations to learn more and connect with Common Grace with your friends, family and faith community. 

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This reflection has been written with thanks to Ian and Jenny Thompson in conversation with Eliza Johnson from the Common Grace team, and offers a snapshot of the wonderful and passionate movement of Common Grace and ways people are pursuing Jesus and justice together across these lands. If you have a story to share of how you or your community have been inspired and taken action with Common Grace, we would love to hear! Please reach out to our team at [email protected]