VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/14/16)—In response to heightened tension, divisiveness, polarization, terrorism and violence across the United States, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) continues to encourage dialogue and promote healing by publishing “Healing Our Land,” a special online issue of its acclaimed print magazine, The Christian Citizen.

In this collection of thought-provoking and action-inspiring essays and quotations, a diverse group of national leaders, including American Baptists, examines a range of subjects—from brutality toward African Americans, Native Americans, the LGBTQ community and police to pragmatic approaches for dealing with trauma and grief.

“This year has brought historic unrest across the United States—from New York City to Chicago, Falcon Heights to Baton Rouge, Cleveland to Dallas, Orlando to Ferguson, and Baltimore to Milwaukee,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. “The hour has come when the Christian community must reckon urgently with Christ’s call to us to be peacemakers. The pursuit of mutual understanding, reconciliation, justice and peace requires a special quality of moral discourse that is informed by faith in God, hope and unconditional love for others.”

American Baptist are encouraged to read the collection on ABHMS’ website at www.abhms.org/The Christian Citizen, and then engage in discussion in their churches and by posting comments on ABHMS’ “Creating a Groundswell for Racial Justice” group on Facebook.

For additional information about the ways in which ABHMS remains committed to social justice and healing communities, please visit www.abhms.org and click “Ministries.”

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 approximately 5,000 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.