Pastors Petition for Prayer, Healing and Equal Justice in Response to Minneapolis Tragedy
As pastors of our respective cities from “every color, every corner” we are charged with providing spiritual leadership and guidance to our respective congregations as well as to the greater community and city leaders, we believe that the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer fully warrants the federal investigation underway involving the U.S. District Attorney, FBI, Minnesota state law enforcement, all as actively supported by President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
This individual incident appears to be the indefensible aggression by a law enforcement officer against a citizen who retained his “inalienable rights” both human and constitutional until a court of law were to decide otherwise, with this act leading to the death and apparent murder of Mr. Floyd. The underlying facts of this incident, the officers involved, the culture of the Minneapolis Police Department and other relevant data must and will be revealed in due time and we trust justice will be served.
The greater issues, however, that are relevant to all such incidents in all cities require immediate, thoughtful, prayerful and thorough conversation leading to strategic action involving church, community, civic and political leaders with every law enforcement agency at the table. We can no longer tolerate racism in any form and it is long past time for healing among all colors and elimination of any unjust or wrongful disparities based on skin color. We cannot allow single incidents to be used by opportunists who would use them to create violence, destruction, or division, yet neither should peaceful protest be suppressed. We also cannot be silent when critical, ongoing issues of equal justice for all remain unresolved, whether real or perceived.
We are called to seek the peace and welfare of the city in which our God placed us to shepherd and we believe that His standard of equal justice based on the truth that all mankind are created in His likeness is inviolable, yet often we miss the mark in our imperfect system involving the imperfect “We the People.” The badge and weapon of law enforcement are a sacred trust of authority that begin with God himself delegating His authority to govern to the people that we choose through elections to make and then enforce laws based on that authority. Abuse of that trust is even more grievous to God than the violation of the laws, neither leading to the good and welfare of the people.
We therefore call for a working strategic summit in every city involving our pastors of “every color, every corner” of our community representing credible voices and our city, county and state law enforcement officials and policy makers. The initial objective is a better, closer working cooperation to address underlying spiritual, social, moral and legal issues leading to decay and crime, standing with and praying for those who serve us in law enforcement and constantly assuring accountability by those officers to the standards of their oath as well as to the highest law that directs us to “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” It is time we truly follow Jesus’ expression of the greatest commandments, to love God and love our neighbor.
The undersigned members of the clergy (updated 6.10.20):
Rev. F.N. Williams Sr., Antioch Missionary Baptist Church; President, Ministers Against Crime, Houston
Pastor Edwin Young, Second Baptist Church, Houston
Pastor Steve Riggle, Grace Woodlands, Spring
Rev. Willie Davis, The Palm Community Baptist Church, Houston
Pastor Wendell Hutchins, Church of Champions, Houston
Pastor Tim Barker, South Texas District, Assemblies of God
Dr. Mark Hartman, Sugar Creek Baptist, Sugar Land
Pastor Jerry Martin, Light of the World Christian Fellowship, Humble
Pastor Garrett Booth, Grace Church, Houston
Dr. Hernan Castano, Iglesia Rios de Aceite, Houston
Dr. David Fannin, Nassau Bay Baptist, Nassau Bay
Pastor Gregg Matte, Houston’s First Baptist Church, Houston
Bishop Sterling Lands II, Greater Calvary Bible Church, Austin
Pastor Elmo Johnson, Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church, Houston
Pastor John McCrutcheon, Joint Heirs Fellowship, Houston
Pastor Julissa Medellin, Iglesia Monte de Salvacion, Houston
Pastor Linda Bilton, River of Life Christian Fellowship, Clifton
Pastor Edward Chung, Redemption Bible Church, Houston
Dr. Hector Gonzales, Iglesia Santa Sion, Houston
Pastor Ving Cing, Lighthouse Myanmar Mission Church, Austin
Pastor Andrew Wilson, Trinity Church, Beaumont
Pastor Phillip Miller, First Baptist, Port O’Connor
Pastor Bezabih Banty, Bethesaida International Church, Houston
Pastor Randy Clark, Triumph Church, Nederland
Pastor James Clark, First Baptist Church, Tomball
Pastor Howard Cameron, Trinity Church, Beaumont
Pastor Eric Jordan, A Breath of Praise Community Church, Round Rock
Pastor Shannon Oliver, Calvary Missionary Baptist, Houston
Pastor Clay Bowers, Northside Baptist, Texas City
Pastor Darrell Horn, San Antonio Baptist
Pastor Tim Franklin, The Connection, Texas City
Pastor Barbara Bucklin, Luke 418 Ministries
Pastor Kevin Frederick, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Houston
Pastor Ed Seay, First Baptist Church, Magnolia
Rev. James Flag, First United Methodist Church, Humble
Pastor Ken Sinclair, Faith Lutheran Church, Sugar Land
Pastor Andre Jones, Cullen Missionary Baptist Church, Houston
Dr. Edward Buford, Sunrise Church, Houston
Pastor Michael Pender, Fallbrook Church, Houston
Pastor Ronald Holmes, Church of the Open Door, Waco
Pastor Micah Evans, Crossroads Church, Austin
Pastor Phillip Miller, First Baptist Church, Port O’Connor
Pastor Wayne Hanks, First at Firewheel Church, Garland
Pastor Paco Garcia, Plataforma Hispana de Oracion, San Antonio
Pastor Steven Branson, Village Parkway Baptist Church, San Antonio
Rev. Bill Owens, Coalition of African American Pastors, Henderson, NV
Archbishop Sterling Lands II, Greater Calvary Bible Church, Austin
Dr. Mary Bostrom, Ken Bostrom Ministries, Texas City
Pastor Scott Jones, Grace Church, Humble
Pastor Michael McReynolds, Church on the Hill, Hillsboro
Pastor Rebekah Kirschke, Covenant Life Restoration Church, Hungerford
Pastor Darold DeHart, New Life Assembly, Houston
Pastor Oseas Portillo, Tabernaculo Cristiano Torre Fuerte, Houston
Dr. Claudette Morgan-Scott, Shiloh Worship Center, Belton
Pastor Deborah Prihoda, Embassy Assembly of God, Rosenberg
Pastor Stu Johnson, Grace Community Church, Spring
Pastor Carlos Gonzales, El Shaddai Ministries, Houston
Pastor Kevin Knudson, Life Church of Big Spring, Big Spring
Dr. Jay Gross, West Conroe Baptist Church, Conroe
Pastor Craig Hayes, CrossingPoint Christian Church, Rosharon
Pastor Stan Harris, Concord Church, Giddings
Pastor Dan Wooldridge, Crestview Baptist Church, Georgetown
Pastor Arthur Sneed II, South Austin Community Church, Austin
Pastor Ken Werlein, Faithbridge Church, Spring
Rev. Brandon Brewer, First Assembly of God, Highlands
Dr. Burt Palmer, Kingwood United Methodist Church, Kingwood
Bishop Bob Jayne, Southwest Texas District Pentecostal Church of God, San Marcos
Dr. Samuel Massie, Real Life Christian Church, Houston
Pastor Doug Walker, Legacy Church, Buda
Pastor Jim Seratt, Grace Community Church, Vidor
Pastor Jeff Whitson, Centro de Amistad Church, Round Rock
Pastor Mark Falls, Double Portion Baptist Church, Houston
Rev. Rose Montelongo, Mid Valley Assembly, Weslaco
Rev. Ebeneezer Anene, Prophetic Awareness & Healing Ministries, Houston
Dr. Laeticia Anene, Prophetic Awareness & Healing Ministries, Houston
Pastor Khanh Huynh, VBC Houston, Houston
Bishop Hughes Jenkins, New Abundant Life, Missouri City
Pastor Gene Loeffler, River of Life Church, San Antonio
Pastor Joel Nabors, Faith Assembly of God, Lumberton
Dr. Anthony Clark, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Beaumont
Pastor Penny Cruz, Journey Church, McAllen
Pastor Eric Jordan, A Breath of Praise Community Church, Round Rock
Bishop Don Wiehe, South Texas Assemblies of God Ministries, Houston
Rev. Aaron Lytle, Oikos Church, Houston
Pastor Cliff Reiff, Rice Temple Baptist Church, Houston
Bishop Brenda Perry, New Life Temple Church, Houston
Pastor Tom Battle, The Lord’s Glory Church, Humble
Pastor Dale Smith, Cy-Fair Christian Church, Houston
Pastor Harriett Jones, Saving Grace Christian Bible Fellowship, Georgetown
Pastor Kevin Johnson, Strength Church, Lakewood, CA
Pastor Bruce Craft, Braeswood Church, Houston
Pastor Ron Hindt, Calvary Church, Houston
Dr. David Pope, The Kingdom Way Church, Houston
Pastor Keith Pennington, Silsbee First Assembly of God, Silsbee, AL
Pastor Cody Ochoa, Church of the Open Door, Waco
Dr. David Pope, the Kingdom Way Church, Houston
Pastor Ron Hindt, Calvary Church Houston, Friendswood
Pastor Bruce Craft, Braeswood Church, Houston
Pastor Kevin Johnson, Strength Church, Lakewood
Harriett Jones, Saving Grace Christian Bible Fellowship, Houston
Pastor Dale Smith, Cy-Fair Christian Church, Houston
Pastor Josh Bruffey, Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church, Houston
Pastor Kevin Gallemore, Cy-Fair Christian Church, Houston
Bishop JR Rodriguez, Vida City Church, Houston
Dr. Irvin Barrett, Sun Light Baptist, Beaumont
Pastor Stephen Banning, Braeswood Church, Houston
Pastor Jorge Tovar, Jordan River Church, Laredo
Bishop Arlandus Chimney, the Promise Community Church, Nacogdoches
Pastor Christopher Wallace, Restoration Bible Church, Kyle
Pastor Cedric Johnson, Destiny Church, Clute
Pastor Pete Patterson, Renew Church, Waco
Bishop Calvin Hooper, Household of Faith Christian Fellowship, Round Rock
Pastor Johnny Teague, Church at the Cross, Houston
Pastor David Kelly, Trinity Worship Center, Corpus Christi
Bishop Dr. Jeffrey Hollins, Greater Strength Church Ministries, Manor
Bishop Dr. Macheo Boulding-Delegraentiss, D.C. Greatness Centers Int’l, Houston
Dr. Magda Hermida, Magda Hermida Ministries, Houston
Pastor John Sherrill, Declaration Church, Spring
Pastor Martin Fadden, Rhema Ministries, Pasadena
Dr. Rogelio Lopez, Primera Iglesia del Nazareno, Channelview
Pastor Panha Mey, Cambodian Baptist Church of Houston, Houston
Dr. Steve Washburn, First Baptist Church, Pflugerville
Pastor Jeff Wuertz, Faith Lutheran Church, Sugar Land
Pastor Tom Gutierrez, Viento Fuerte Church, Woodway
Pastor DeChard Freeman, Abundant Life Church, Pflugerville
Pastor Stephen Caddell, Live the Life Church, San Antonio
Pastor Byron Fulk, Faith Community Church, Bayou Vista
Pastor Phillip Clements, Trinity Faith Church, Katy
Pastor Gerald Shanks, Mary Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Houston
Rev. Jonathan Suber, Oasis church, Round Rock
Pastor Lee Yarbrough, Neighborhood Baptist Church, Austin
Pastor Harold Welch, Primera Baptist Church, Bastrop
Pastor Moses Adedipe, Christ Apostolic Church Revival Center, Houston
Pastor Bill Faulk, Sienna Ranch Baptist Church, Missouri City
Pastor David Gomez, New Life Fellowship, Galveston
Pastor Garry Blackmon, Crossway Christian Fellowship, Houston
Pastor Carlos Garzon, Roca Vida, Living Rock, San Antonio
Pastor Mark Dean, Sienna Ranch Baptist Church, Missouri City
Pastor Jimmy Witcher, Trinity Fellowship, Amarillo
Pastor R. Lynn Snider, First Baptist Rosehill, Tomball
Dr. T. Leon Preston II, Yale Street Baptist Church, Houston
Dr. Robert Dean, West Houston Bible Church, Houston
Pastor Ernest Stiggers, Emmanuel New Life Fellowship, Dallas
Bishop Dr. Paul Freeman, Church of God in Christ Int’l, Dallas
Pastor Brad Drake, Dayspring Church, Santa Fe
Pastor David Martin, Heart of Texas House of Prayer, Georgetown
Pastor Timothy Stroup, Crosswind Community Church, Palmdale
Pastor Herb Moffett, Restoring God’s Family Ministry, Leander
Pastor Jay Burnett, Calvary Chapel Assembly of God, Pasadena
Pastor Jimmy Pritchard, First Baptist Church, Forney
Pastor Darrell Horn, San Antonio Baptist Association, San Antonio
Pastor Bryan Moore, First Methodist Church, Conroe
Pastor Larry Emerson, North Central Church, Spring
Rev. John Faleye, Braeswood Church, Houston
Dr. Douglas Richnow, St. John the Devine, Houston
Dr. Luis Gomez, Global Advance Church Ministry, Houston
Dr. Korey Gomez, Global Advance Church Ministry, Houston
Pastor Joseph Montalvo, Centro de Discipulado Church, Houston
