We, Two Rivers Church, are adamantly opposed to the sin of racism in any form. We denounce the unjust violence inflicted on the Black community in our country, exemplified by George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others in recent years and throughout the history of the United States.
We affirm every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and therefore embodies eternal value and a God-given purpose to fulfill in this world. Black lives are incredibly valuable, precious, and sacred. Any action or system violating this key biblical principle is against the heart of God.
Therefore, as followers of Christ, we stand up against the sin of racism and the systems continually perpetuated by it. We declare there is absolutely no place for this behavior within our body and commit to fight to eradicate this sin from our hearts, country, and world.
We commit to stand with our African-American/Black brothers and sisters in using our voices and actions to be agents of gospel-centered healing, transformation, and racial reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:16-19).
We uphold the following Two Rivers Diversity statement that guides our efforts to celebrate, defend, and expand ethnic diversity within our Two Rivers Church community:
“We embrace a diversity based on humanity’s sacred creation (Acts 17:26), the Church’s diverse ethnic makeup (Revelation 7:9), supernatural oneness (Galatians 3:28), and Jesus-centered unity (John 17:21). We strive to live lives that manifest a Kingdom-ethic witness (Matthew 5:1-15, Luke 4:18-19) and to partner in our Father’s reconciliation ministry (2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ephesians 2:14-22). We create communities of ‘every nation, tribe, people, and language’ who live in unity with each other and work towards love, righteousness, and justice in the world.”
While we recognize the perpetual need for conversation and discussion, we also know this is a time for action and for all of us to increase our commitment to actively live out the above statement.
We pledge to:
- Mourn with those who mourn by seeking the face of God and by bringing our requests to Him through prayer and intercession for justice and healing (Romans 12:15).
- Actively listen so to better understand the experience of all people of color (James 1:19).
- Defend the cause of the oppressed by speaking out against racism (Isaiah 1:17).
- Lead staff and adherants in biblical repentance for and renouncement of the sins of our ancestors and for our own perpetuation of inequality (2 Chronicles 7:14).
- Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that our hearts and minds may be continually transformed to understand God’s perfect will (Romans 12:2)
- Fight for the cause of the oppressed through financial investments, policy changes within organizations, and supporting legislation that depicts the heart of God (James 1:22).
- Open doors of ministry and leadership positions for staff of color and advocate on their behalf (Isaiah 1:17).
- Equip and train Two Rivers staff intentionally in gospel-centered racial reconciliation and make investments of resources, finances, and give time at local and national events and meetings ( 2 Corinthians 5:16).
According to the mission statement of Two Rivers Church: “We transform the world by leading people to Jesus.”
Therefore, we reaffirm our continued efforts to lead our world to Jesus and, in turn, to be transformed into an ethnically and culturally diverse community of Jesus followers living out the Kingdom of God.