Singer/songwriter Jake Isaac, has teamed up with Christian Aid to create the single ‘Everything is Yours’. The song is part of an initiative – launching on Racial Justice Sunday, February 11 2024 – to raise the profile of black Christians in the climate justice movement.
At its heart, the song aims to encourage Christians to reflect on this unbreakable relationship: love of God, love of people and creation care.
Behind the collaboration
Following Professor Robert Beckford's experience in producing de-colonial gospel music, he came up with the idea to develop a music project which would bring together the themes of creation care, justice and theology. Christian Aid’s Black Majority Church Climate Action group worked closely with Jake Isaac to produce the song. The group is made up of black theologians, faith leaders and activists from the UK and global south.
Members of the Black Majority Church Climate Action group
- Reverend Doctor Israel Olofinjana (Evangelical Alliance)
- Professor Robert Beckford (Theologian and broadcaster)
- Reverend Ronald Nathan (African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church)
- Reverend Alton Bell (Wembley Family Church)
- Melanie Nazareth (Christian Climate Action activist and lawyer)
- Carol Ng'ang'a (Msingi Trust)
Jake was challenged to write a song that considers the realities of the world around us, in the congregational form you hear on a Sunday morning. But as he put it,'… On a Sunday morning, you don’t really sing about this kind of stuff.
‘…so, I sat down at my piano… and the first scripture that came to mind was, “The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.” I realised that bit of scripture sums up and refers to God's passion and His heart for this earth that he made.
‘And there's it kind of flowed out from there – just honouring God in light of that scripture.’
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Colossians 3:16
Who is Jake Isaac?
Jake, from London, began playing drums at the age of three and taught himself piano and bass guitar. By the age of 16, he'd completed grade eight drums and had begun teaching the instrument. When he was 19, he began to make a living as a part-time session musician playing drums and bass on jazz and rock records for international artists, including Grammy-award winner Duffy.
Marketing manager by day, songwriter and session musician by night, Jake began working with artists such as Gabrielle and boy band Blue before trying his hand at writing his own songs.
He ended up signing to Sir Elton John’s Rocket Music label. Since, he's worked with Sting, Paloma Faith, and Elton John himself.
To me, justice is about the pursuit of what's right, no matter what it costs. It's a mindset. It's a disposition. And it's the pursuit of what's right for those around us. No matter what they look like… it's what's right… even if it means sacrifice. For me personally, [it’s] at the core of the Christian faith.
Why release the song on Racial Justice Sunday?
Racial Justice Sunday is an opportunity for churches and congregations to focus prayer, worship and action on racial justice.
Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said Racial Justice Sunday is the ideal occasion to launch a song addressing the importance of justice in the world.
He added, ‘There are inextricable links between "racial inequality" and the "climate emergency", and Jake Isaac’s powerful song calls for justice for those most affected by both. I hope "Everything is Yours" becomes a paean for our times; a worship song that urges all Christians to do the right thing on these justice-related matters.’
Listen to the song and start your conversations about campaigning for climate justice.
The importance of engaging Black Majority Churches in climate justice
People in Africa, the Caribbean, India and other parts of the global south are facing the brunt of the impacts. And yet, in the UK, 50% of black Christians think the environmental movement isn't racially diverse enough, and are keen for their churches to stand up for justice.
Since our 'Black Lives Matter Everywhere' report, senior church leaders and climate activists from black majority churches have been working on a range of resources providing insights into the distinctive contributions of diverse voices on climate justice.
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