"Demonstrating Unity in the Power of the Spirit"
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Dear Friends,
The Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America's vision of “demonstrating unity in the power of the Spirit” is rooted in how the Spirit has spoken to its members from the very beginning of our formation. We pursue justice, love mercy, and desire to walk humbly with our God. To tangibly demonstrate those pursuits, the PCCNA has as one of its purposes: “To embrace and implement biblical principles of racial reconciliation, justice, and equity within our spheres of influence, and to work toward the eradication of poverty.”
Within our nations in North America these biblical principles are often violated and call us to respond in unity with prayer, confrontation of evil, and loving actions towards those who experience injustice as well as redemptive initiatives towards those who act unjustly. In the light of current and recent events that have violated the biblical principles PCCNA has purposed to demonstrate, I would invite you to note the response from some leaders or representatives within several of the PCCNA’s member organizations and from our chair of the Race Relations Commission, Rev. Aaron Campbell, who also serves as the director of the Memphis Chapter of PCCNA.
Rev. David R. Wells, M.A., D.D.
President – PCCNA
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Aaron Campbell, Chair of Race Relations Commission
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Thank you for the opportunity to speak regarding the present crisis facing America. Yes, I said America, which includes multiple races, creeds, colors, and ethnic groups. All of us are affected in some way by the incidents that have occurred in recent weeks.
Although what we have experienced is atrocious and degrading to human life, each of us must respond in a way that will bring about the greatest desire for the country, and that is to produce a society where every man, woman, and child will be treated with dignity and equality—a society where everyone will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
A 1700s proverb says, "Two wrongs don’t make a right." As we face the aftermath of one of the most atrocious crimes committed by an officer of the law, who happens to be a white man against a black man (especially with it being viewed by millions), we can understand the outrage that has occurred. I also acknowledge that certain peaceful protests are also bringing some unity between people of all races as well as between communities and officers.
However, what we cannot accept are the actions taken by certain factions of our society, whose main purpose is to bring about more division and separation in response to this incident. The Bible states: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). What we are experiencing is the result of unrighteous behavior. What happened to George Floyd is only one isolated event out of many that have taken place against blacks in America. If we do not exact change in our laws, protecting the rights of all humanity, and execute those laws to bring about justice, we will be beating the same dead horse we have been beating for years.
We cannot sit back without voicing our disdain for this kind of action by those who are hired to protect everyone
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regardless of race, creed, or color. I love this great country and have hope that one day these statements made by me and other leaders, both black and white, will not be necessary. Until that time, we must seek God, who is able to bring about justice in ways that we cannot even imagine.
—Rev. Aaron Campbell, Chairman
PCCNA Race Relations Commission
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The Reconciled Church: Seven Bridges of Peace by Harry Jackson
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In praying for future believers, Jesus relayed this in John 17:20
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23, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." Given the ongoing state of obvious racial mistrust in America, the unification of the church is a must to help bring about criminal justice reform and reconciliation.
It certainly won't be easy, but unification has to be about more than simple change. Lasting change is required. And lasting change requires transformation. It's not just about getting along; it's about getting it right. Only great diversity, in unison, can bring us to our better selves.
The atmosphere in our culture has reached a critical, if not powder-keg stage. Violent protests have become symbolic of the racial divide in America and clear, unabashed examples of the need for racial reconciliation and criminal justice reform.
Access Bishop Jackson's full article
—Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, MD
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“In face of the recent events that have occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, UPCAG stands with other religious organizations across the nation in praying and demanding that justice prevails.”
—Rev.
Lydia Thomas, UPCAG
“His name is George Floyd. The age of video phones enables us to see firsthand what so many people of color experience in our society. May the visuals of what is occurring bring us to genuine repentance. As we approach Pentecost Sunday, we cannot help but believe that the promise of the Father is greater than our historic divisions.”
—Dr.
Doug Beacham, IPHC
"Racism in any form is a reproach to any society or institutional structure. C. S. Lewis said in his book
The Weight of Glory
, 'There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.' God bestowed great value, dignity, and honor upon all mankind when He created us in His image and likeness. Racism is, therefore, both an injustice to the individual and an affront to the creator."
—Bishop
Tim Coalter, COGOP North America
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"The
Church Of God In Christ
condemns the vicious murder of George Floyd and the deadly violence perpetrated against people of color by law enforcement in America. Begging for his life, 'please, I can’t breathe,' were the final words spoken by George Floyd, an unarmed, handcuffed, and subdued black man killed Monday by police in Minneapolis . . .
We offer our sincerest condolences to Mr. Floyd’s family and the entire Minneapolis community. We pray that God will grant strength, comfort, and grace during this difficult season.
We ask how can Christians remain silent? Why are they not shouting to the rooftop? “This is wrong! This is outrageous! This must stop!”
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On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of many language groups molding them into a body . . . I have a burden to pray, to repent, and to cry out to God. Like you I am profoundly grieved at the recent events in our country that have highlighted once again just how deeply the sin of racism is at work around us . . .We invite you to j
oin us as we gather with leaders across the country in praying for unity and a spirit of reconciliation during this divided time. We're praying and believing for a Pentecostal miracle to take place in our nation."
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"As racial strife and discord continues to reverberate across our nation, Dr. Timothy M. Hill, General Overseer of the Church of God, has called for the
Church of God
family to pray for reconciliation and national healing:
“As I have stated before, racism is a sin
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and God despises it. I have also unequivocally condemned racist acts against all people. Such actions should never be tolerated by a God-fearing society . . . "
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"The
NHCLC
stands with our African American brothers and sisters during this critical time in America's history. We come together for the purpose of confronting, once again, the giant of bigotry and racism with the stones or righteousness and justice. This giant of racism must come down! Silence is not an option. Complacency makes us complicit.
I call upon my fellow Christian leaders to join us in a call for justice and reform. Our call for justice is for George Floyd, Ahmed Arbery, and others like them, but our call for reform is an acknowledgement that we have yet to thoroughly root vestiges of bigotry and racism that hinder and obstruct truth between our communities of color and those who claim to serve and to protect them."
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Over the past week, I have been grieved by the tragic death of George Floyd and the events that have resulted from it. Having recently walked through our own season of loss, Linda and I understand the pain of losing a son. Mr. Floyd’s death was not only sad, but also inexcusable. His death has once again made us aware of the unhealed wound of racism in North America . . .
Scripture instructs us to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15 NIV). “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV). I join with the
Church of God of Prophecy's
general presbyter of North America in denouncing racism in any form and from any source."
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I have no idea how to say this. I’ve been wrestling with it for several days now. This isn’t even the finished product, but it’s coming from a heart searching for answers, searching for solutions, searching for hope.
Like you, I was stunned, shocked, appalled, horrified, disgusted, furious, crushed, confused, and heart-broken. The range of emotions was wild. The video footage took me in one direction, the cries for justice from the family in another, the collective FB and IG posts in another, and the sound of George Floyd’s voice, as he uttered the words “I CAN’T BREATHE” and gasped for his life, took me to a place I’ve not been before.
But this is not about my feelings as a white man of privilege or about our collective emotions and words. Our black friends are tired of suffering, and I’m done with seeing my friends have to suffer and go through this every week. A response is required. The scriptures lay it out clearly...I must do what is right, I must love mercy, and I must walk humbly with the Lord . . .
—PAOC, Rev. Rich Janes, President
Master's College and Seminary in Ontario
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PENTECOSTAL CHARISMATIC CHURCHES OF NORTH AMERICA
PCCNA.ORG
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