Our core values define who we are, what we believe, and what we work towards. One vital core value is Justice and Mercy. In this time following the murder of George Floyd, when our city, nation and world are together crying out to be heard and for healing, we reiterate our devotion to justice and mercy in reliance on Scripture.
- Isaiah 58:6: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?”
- Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
- Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.”
We recognize that the experience of African Americans is different than that of the refugees and immigrants who we typically work with at Arrive Ministries. While our understanding is limited, systemic racism and prejudice within our society affects both so we remain standing for justice and mercy for all.
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Our Board Member Pastor Jean Pierre Gatera, originally from Burundi, shared his thoughts on Facebook recently, and we share some excerpts here with his permission:
“The world and different countries have been facing tragedies in history; I can recall Burundi since 1965, Rwanda since 1959, U.S. for 400 years. I have been asking myself what are the answers to these long struggles? Where is God’s engine for reconciliation (the Church and men and women of God)?
… We must put forward an authentic process of reconciliation. If that is not done we will keep on passing the horrible baton to the next generations as our grandfathers did to us. We will continue to produce frustrated societies, more displaced people and more refugees around the world and even in our own neighborhoods
… We have been commissioned by a Heavenly Kingdom to promote peace and justice, to preach Good News and be agents of reconciliation.
… God’s message today is the same He spoke to Israel, “If my people who are called my name, will humble themselves….. I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”[/message]
Many have asked us how to get involved, and where to donate financially or with time to engage in the rebuilding effort. We are not the experts and cannot therefore provide an exhaustive list. In humility, we do offer the following suggestions.
- Seek the Lord and engage in meaningful dialogue
- Meditate on the Justice and Mercy verses above and numerous others in Scripture
- Initiate dialogue at your church. Ask questions, seek to learn, be honest, and devote yourself to the long-term hard work of pursuing love
- Find voices of those with a different background than yours to learn from
- Possibilities include listening to two engagements led by our parent organization, Transform Minnesota: a community and pastors briefing (facilitated on June 1) or an emergency prayer meeting for justice and peace (facilitated on May 29)
- Read Transform Minnesota’s statement “Yet Another Black Life Devalued and Disregarded”
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A Somali business on Lake Street – Hamdi Restaurant – was impacted by the events of this past week, but is still standing. Around the corner on Chicago Ave used to be the Bismillah Market, which was completely destroyed by fire. Please pray for our immigrant neighbors during this time. Pray that from the ashes, God will bring beauty.
Provide financial support to organizations involved in rebuilding. While there are numerous options, three that we know of are:
- Support the Cities: https://www.supportthecities.com/
- The One Fund: https://www.bethechurchmn.com/onefund/
- We Love Lake Street: https://www.welovelakestreet.com/
- Volunteer to help the rebuilding effort:
- Support the Cities: https://www.facebook.com/pg/supportthecities/events/
- Transform Minnesota: https://www.facebook.com/transformmn/
- Sanctuary Covenant Church: https://www.facebook.com/sanctuarycov/
One of our staff shared these photos of the destruction that took place on Lake Street, near his home. He shared this prayer:
“Dear Father, you are generous and merciful so we pray that what was meant for harm, you would turn into something good. We pray that from the ashes you will bring beauty. Forgive our sins, including individual racist pride and systems that allow racism to continue. Please provide what we need today, especially for our small business owners to rebuild and reopen. We promise to follow your will and your ways, in the name of Jesus our Messiah.”
For questions or suggestions, contact office@arriveministries.org
