Seven Rockdale County churches issue decree to condemn racism, encourage all to show love

Story Updated: Two additional churches joined the decree

Due to the recent events in our country, members of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Excel Church, First Shady Grove Baptist Church, Life Church Christian Center, Macedonia Baptist Church, New Covenant Fellowship Church, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conyers, Georgia area join together in proclaiming the importance stated in the Declaration of Independence that,

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.[1]

We join with others in condemning the injustices of past actions toward our fellow citizens and encourage all to put into practice daily, showing Love toward God and to our fellow mankind.  We encourage all to practice the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

We encourage families to understand the Brotherhood of all Mankind as taught by Jesus Christ and treat each other with respect and dignity.  No person deserves to be treated with disrespect, discrimination or lack of dignity.  We encourage everyone to teach this important truth in their homes.  We ask that each of us extend a hand of Fellowship and love toward others, embracing what we have in common rather than what is different.  “We likewise remind everyone that we must renounce and [condemn acts of violence, destruction of public and private property, and harm to others.] Never has one wrong been corrected by a second wrong. Evil has never been resolved by more evil.”[2]

We ask that all join together in practicing in their lives that, “all men are created equal” and help each citizen of these United States of America to enjoy those “unalienable rights…of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.  As citizens, we unitedly assert the truths that equality for all, will make this nation realize its greatest attributes and invite all to join with us in this cause.

“United we declare that the answers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and hate will not come from government or law enforcement alone.  Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than our own, as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship, and as we see each other as the brothers and sisters we are—for we are all children of a loving God” [who gave us these ‘unalienable Rights’].[3]

We invite all Citizens of this great country to join in this great effort to UNITE US TOGETHER.

Sincerely,

David Armstrong-Reiner, Pastor, Epiphany Lutheran Church

Francis Smith, Lead Pastor, Excel Church

Dr. Billie Boyd Cox, Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church

Reverend Mark Barbour, New Covenant Fellowship Church

J. Phillip Baker, Pastor, First Shady Grove Baptist Church

President Frank A. Nolden, Conyers Georgia Stake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Kendal A. Kotter , 1st Counselor; Peter N. Richards,  2^nd Counselor

Corey K. Hambrick, Lead Pastor, The Life Church Christian Center, Inc.

Dr. Dave Benson, Senior Pastor,Conyers First United Methodist Church 

1 Preamble of The Declaration of Independence

2 Joint Op-Ed from the National NAACP and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 8, 2020

3 Joint Op-Ed from the National NAACP and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 8, 2020