VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/11/16)—With deep concern for increasing racial violence in the United States, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has published a statement from Barnabas Partners at abhms.org demanding legislative action to end police brutality.
Barnabas Partners—a group of American Baptist clergy convened by ABHMS Executive Director Emeritus Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins, III and Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. several years ago—encourages pastors, shares knowledge, advocates for justice and prays for the organization.
The statement advocates three steps toward healing the injustice and violence that pervades American society today: First, America needs to reckon with its historic race issues; second, America needs to confront the spread of racism in the ranks of its police forces; and, third, there is an urgent need for the White House and Justice Department to name the evils of racial bias and police brutality as unacceptable and unlawful.
Barnabas Partners’ statement closes with this prayer for justice and peace in our nation during these perilous times:
“As faith leaders, we reject violence and advocate for respect and security for all human life. We speak in the name of the loving God who created all people in God’s image and loves us all equally and unconditionally. God does not tolerate injustice, or look the other way when human beings are violated. We pray for grace and healing for all those who are victims of injustice and violence. We pray for righteousness and justice on behalf of all those who have been treated wrongly. We seek reconciliation and recompense on behalf of all those who deserve and want better. We dedicate ourselves to working tirelessly in our community and our nation on behalf of change and progress, while speaking truth to power, correcting injustices, and improving the quality of life for all people.”
American Baptist Home Mission Societies ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on leadership, discipleship and healing communities.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.