6 August 2024

Being beacons of hope and light in our communities during national crisis

It has been a deeply troubling week in our nation. We have all been grieved by the senseless loss of life from the attack on a group of children in Southport and we pray for all who have been impacted by this.

Although there are those who would seek to link this tragedy with the violent protests of the past few days, there can be no excuse for such behaviour. Whilst we defend the rights of all for free speech (even those who hold views we disagree with), we condemn behaviour or views that seek to dehumanise others.

Many of our churches are made up of people from many nations and we rejoice in the picture of eternity this represents where Heaven will be populated with people from every nation, tribe and tongue. Racism is unacceptable in all its forms and the fear and value bias it emanates from needs to be counteracted with love and an understanding that we are all equally made in the image of God.

Our churches are involved in being beacons of hope and light in our communities and many have been working with some of the most vulnerable people who have courageously left everything they know to help their families flee danger. Hearing these stories first hand strongly counteracts the dehumanising narratives often polarised on social media platforms. We pray that hate will be replaced with love, violence replaced with peaceful dialogue and insecurity replaced with safety for all.

We pray the peace of God will flow in our cities, towns and villages throughout the nation.

Elim Pentecostal Church