In response to mounting global anxiety over war, disaster, and political unrest, the Church Mission Society (CMS) has launched “Not Giving Up Day 2025” (NGUD25)—a global online initiative calling Christians to unite in “defiant hope and faithful perseverance” as they follow Jesus.

According to a CMS press release, a “single glance at the headlines can feel overwhelming” with subsequent worries about the major violent conflicts, natural disasters, the climate crisis and political unrest “enough to extinguish hope and leave many questioning the future.”

In response, the CMS, based in Oxford, England and “one of the world’s oldest mission agencies [founded in 1799], is making a bold stand: they’re not giving up and they are inviting others to join in.” This declaration has led the mission agency to set aside July 2 as a “chance to pause, reset and recommit to living in hope.”

“To persist in hope in the shadow of everything we are seeing feels like an act of resistance, yet that’s what Jesus calls us to do,” said Naomi Steinberg, head of communications at CMS. “We believe Jesus offers solid ground in uncertain times.”

That sense of “togetherness” in Christian community is what CMS seeks to highlight because “not giving up is easier with others.” 

To help people get involved in NGUD25, CMS have set up a dedicated web page churchmissionsociety.org/ngu25 where participants can sign an “I’m Not Giving Up” pledge and create their own.

CMS is also hosting an online event at 12pm noon (BST) on July 2, where people will be invited to bring and share the things that are most concerning them, pray together and receive encouragement and inspiration to persist in hope. 

“We’ve chosen the midpoint of the year, July 2, for Not Giving Up Day because let’s face it—2025 is throwing us lots of reasons to give up,” said Steinberg. “And the midpoint of the year can be a time when people are emotionally depleted—a time when motivation drops and burnout peaks. So, CMS is utilising the moment and encouraging people across the globe to say, ‘We’re not giving up’ together.”

The campaign draws inspiration from the Bible verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).”

“We know people are weary of war, tired of turmoil and heartbroken at the seemingly hopeless situations we see around us,” added Steinberg. “Not Giving Up Day 2025 is more than an event—it’s a movement of resistance through faith, and a collective act of courage in uncertain times.”