Dear Pastors, Friends, Jericho Staff and Volunteers
The murder of George Floyd on Monday, May 25 will be long remembered for having triggered riots, destruction, and death throughout our cities. My purpose that follows is to avoid any further mention of these ugly distractions and focus on the real issue – racial injustice – and its impact on our cultural values and the faith principles that we Christians embrace. I believe that we, the Jericho Partnership, must speak out on this issue – racial injustice – because as Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer said while held captive by the Nazis in World War II, “Silence, in the face of evil, is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act, is to act.”
First of all, we send our condolences to the Floyd Family as they grieve the terrible experience of viewing George’s death on a TV screen. Similarly, we pray for peace for all those of color who see this as an extension of racial injustice in our country.
I believe that justice is very much an integral part of our Christian faith and the Jericho Partnership has sought justice in all of our ministry relationships. The Apostle Paul in Galatians clearly outlined the equality of ALL believers, Gal 3: 28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
We also know from Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female, he created them.”
ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL
And we are called to “Strive for peace with EVERYONE, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:4
So what is the problem? Do you agree with the respondents to a Barna survey in 2018 that slavery has had a significant impact on black Americans today? Why has racial injustice plagued our nation for 400 years? As a black or white person, what has been your personal experience? What can we do about it? What can we as the Jericho Partnership with over 20 Church partnerships contribute?
First of all, I would like to invite our Senior Pastors to join in a video conference on June 9 at 1:00 to begin a conversation that will lead to ACTION and attack the injustice that exists in our community. In addition, I would hope we can dispel some of the perceived injustice and develop understanding of the realities of the situation.
Secondly, I would invite all who read this to consider volunteering for Jericho Ministry as a mentor, teacher or Reading Buddy. This is where the action is and we need help to reach out to the at- risk youth in our community during a summer of COVID-19. You will be safe.
Finally, as an elderly white guy, I know there may be some skepticism regarding my taking the lead on this subject of injustice. I would hope that the involvement of the Jericho Partnership in the Danbury community since 2005 and prior to that in 1997 as Pathways Danbury will give me grace to lead this first conversation with our Pastors. Please encourage your pastor to join us on June 9 at 1:00. We will be contacting him or her directly, but your encouragement would be a great help.
I believe we are called to action vs injustice by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Please join me in prayer with those who marched in Danbury on June 3, for justice with peace in our community.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Your continuing support is appreciated.
In His name,
Bill Beattie, Jericho Founder & Chairman