Kehillah: Cultivating Communities against Exploitation  

Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about community resilience but sometimes it can feel a bit nebulous. What exactly do we mean by the term ‘community resilience’ and how does it make a difference in the fight against modern slavery? These are the questions we are addressing in Kehillah, our new six-week course. 

The resource explores God's vision for communities (drawing from different Bible passages) and considers how churches can be inclusive, welcoming, united, hospitable, loving and prayerful places, full of people who listen to the voiceless and collaborate with others to fight injustice.   

Most importantly, it looks at how healthy, connected communities are one of the strongest defences we have against modern slavery. When people are known and cared for, exploitation is less able to take hold and far more likely to be identified early.

Why Kehillah?

This idea of community resilience isn’t a new one. At the very beginning of the Bible, God outlines a vision for society where the poor and outsider are provided for, people are not cheated, wages are paid, justice is upheld, young women are treated honourably and God’s ways are followed (Leviticus 19). The Hebrew word for a community like this is “Kehillah” (pronounced keh-hee-LAH!) and it describes a community of action, responsibility, and mutual care.   

The Hebrew word beautifully encapsulates our vision for resilient churches and communities and seemed like the perfect name for our new resource! 

Inspiring stories 

During each week of the course, we share stories of churches and individuals who are actively engaged in tackling modern slavery in their communities and signpost resources and ideas for making a difference in your neighbourhood. We also interview a Christian leader to dig deeper into the issues and themes of the week. This interview comes in podcast format and as a short video to watch as a group. 

We hope many churches will take the opportunity during Lent 2027 to work through the course. Each session includes a Bible passage, discussion questions, information about modern slavery, action points and a case study. The course is also accompanied by a leader's guide.   

The resource will be available for free in December 2026.