When we talk about environmental justice and faith, we are talking about something deeply rooted in scripture and lived out in communities right here in Charlotte, NC. For Christians who believe in a God who calls us to love our neighbors and steward the earth, caring for creation is not a political statement. It is a spiritual one.

At Myers Park Baptist Church, we believe that faith and environmental justice are inseparable. The health of our planet and the dignity of every person are bound together, and our congregation has made it a priority to respond to that calling with awareness, advocacy, and action.

What Is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice is the principle that all people, regardless of race, income, or zip code, deserve clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental justice is "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."

This definition matters for people of faith. Historically, low-income communities and communities of color have faced disproportionate exposure to pollution, climate risks, and environmental hazards. A faith community that claims to love its neighbors cannot ignore who bears the heaviest burden of environmental harm.

A Biblical Call to Care for Creation

Scripture is filled with calls to care for the earth. In Genesis, humanity is given the role of steward over creation. The Psalms declare that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." The prophets repeatedly connect justice for the oppressed with faithfulness to God.

Environmental justice and faith are not separate conversations. They are the same conversation. When communities of color are turned into, as our own Environmental Justice group describes them, "poverty-stricken environmental sacrifice zones," people of faith must speak up. Silence is not a faithful option.

How Charlotte, North Carolina Is Affected

Charlotte is not immune to environmental justice concerns. As the city has grown rapidly, environmental disparities have grown alongside it. Certain neighborhoods face higher rates of air pollution, flooding risks from impervious surfaces, and limited access to green space. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) notes that environmental health disparities are closely tied to historical patterns of segregation and disinvestment, patterns that Charlotte knows well.

For Charlotte Christians, this is local. It is not abstract. The communities bearing these burdens may be just a few miles from your church.

What Myers Park Baptist Church Is Doing About It

Our Environmental Justice ministry operates under a simple but powerful framework: Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.

Awareness means educating ourselves and our congregation about the realities of climate change and environmental injustice. We offer resources, host speakers, and build a community of informed believers.

Advocacy means using our voices to influence policy and support organizations doing grassroots work across our city and nation. Environmental justice requires systemic change, and advocacy is how the church participates in that change.

Action means showing up. From our solar panel installation on campus, which serves as a community education tool, to hands-on volunteer opportunities, we are committed to embodying our values, not just proclaiming them.

How You Can Get Involved

Whether you are a lifelong environmentalist or someone just beginning to think about faith and creation care, there is a place for you at MPBC.

You can learn about upcoming opportunities through our events calendar, join a small group focused on justice and faith, or explore our full range of volunteer opportunities.

You can also take a deeper look at our broader justice initiatives, which connect environmental justice with educational and economic justice as part of a holistic vision for a more equitable Charlotte.

Faith That Acts

Environmental justice and faith are not competing priorities. For Christians in Charlotte, caring for creation is a natural extension of caring for people. The earth is not ours to exploit. Our neighbors are not ours to overlook.

At Myers Park Baptist Church, we are on a journey toward a more welcoming, loving, and just world. That journey includes the ground beneath our feet.

If you want to be part of a faith community that takes that calling seriously, we would love for you to plan a visit.