April 2, 2009
For Immediate Public Release
Recent events over the past few months have culminated in tension and anxiety over events of the past few days. This week, we came together to express our unity as pastors and community leaders, and to affirm our support for our common purpose. The latest events have attempted to drive further wedges between people of different races and nationalities in our community. Specifically, the news coverage of the verdicts in the Taliaferro murder trial has portrayed Powhatan and our surrounding communities as a predominately racist people. Regardless of how individuals may feel about the justice or lack of justice with the verdict itself, the truth is that most people in our community are not racists. Still, as Jesus said, a little yeast works its way through the entire batch. We desire to make a strong stand against racism and the growing perception about Powhatan.
Adding fuel to the fire, the KKK has been handing out flyers in our community during the past few days. We are appalled that anyone would embrace such hatred in the name of being a good American or a faithful Christian. Racism is neither American nor Christian. We do not deny that racism is a part of our community’s historical past, but we adamantly refuse to allow it to be a part of our present or future. The Bible is clear about this:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28, TNIV)
While each of our churches is distinct in worship, we are all passionate about the fact that there is no room for racism in the leadership and body of Jesus Christ’s church today. As the song says, “The ground is level at the foot of the Cross”.
Further, we invite everyone, everywhere to attend a special service this Sunday, April 5, 2009, at 6pm at the Powhatan High School. Several local pastors will speak and pray. There will be exciting and excellent worship. The entire service will only last about an hour, but the statement it makes will last much longer.
This is our chance to take a strong stand in our community – a chance to speak with our feet and publicly take a stand on this issue. It is not about the trial or the verdict – it’s about how we believe God sees skin color. Together in that hour, we’ll have the chance to say that everyone is welcome in our community, and that, as Christ followers, we will not judge people by the color of their skin. We will have the chance to stand together – as black folks, white folks and every color in between – and declare our unity in Jesus Christ.
We urge every person in our community to make this event a priority. We believe that it’s going to be a Holy moment. We believe that God will move in an unusually powerful way. We believe that we will experience His presence in our midst.
Serving the One who created all people,
Pastor Thomas B. Alvis, Jr.
Mount Moriah Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Gregory L. Beechaum, Sr.
Senior Pastor, Little Zion Baptist Church
Russell Cress
Pastor, Powhatan Christian Fellowship
Dr. William B. Hardison, Jr.
Pastor, May Memorial Baptist Church
Dr. Brian C. Hughes
Senior Pastor, Powhatan Community Church
Pastor Tim Kennell
Powhatan Mennonite Church
Rev. David N. Peppler, Sr.
Pastor, Muddy Creek Baptist Church
Rev. Edward G. Powell, Jr.
Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church
Rev. Karen Powell
Chaplain, Central Va. Correctional Unit
Pastor Brad Russell
Old Powhatan Baptist Church
Rev. Kevin Salyer
Interim Pastor
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Rev. Rick Stigile
Pastor, Bethesda Church of God
No comments:
Post a Comment