This is my last issue as editor of War Cry, so I write with equal measures of joy and sadness. We are moving to the Waikato to be closer to family, and my husband Martin will be taking up a great job opportunity.
But there is sadness, of course, in goodbyes. I honour the War Cry team—past and present. I also honour my husband, who has given me the space to be who God called me to be. And I honour our readers—thank you for being passionate and engaged.
In War Cry, my interpretation of the mission goal to ‘meet people’s needs’ has been to give space for authentic conversation and hard questions. One of the difficult issues in our culture today was in the spotlight during Mental Health Awareness week—and we’re continuing the conversation in this special themed edition, with a focus on stories of hope and healing.
I have always wanted War Cry to be an open door, where people can discover Jesus. And I have tried to never publish anything that might close the door to a relationship with God, for anybody. That is probably the closest I have to a personal manifesto.
When we share the gospel, let it be in love. Jesus, himself, summed up the fullness of Scripture as simply loving God and loving others. I suspect that if we always, relentlessly, choose the way of love, we could really change the world.
Ingrid Barratt
Editor
1 John 4:1
‘Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.’
1 Hoani 4:1
‘He aroha te Atua, ko te tangata hoki e noho ana i runga i te aroha e noho ana i roto i te Atua, me te Atua anō hoki i roto i a ia.’