These are trying times that we are in. The world-wide pandemic has laid bare our many vulnerabilities as humans and as a society. The recent and tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers has been another reminder of human and societal brokenness. Mr. Floyd's death has been a spark in our volatile landscape that has set fire, literally and figuratively, to the deep rooted racial tensions that still exist in our nation, and to renewed demands for justice and equality.
I affirm what Pastor Kevin, our senior pastor, said on Monday, June 1, and want to add my voice to his. We are saddened and deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and awful death of Mr. Floyd and the circumstances surrounding it. We grieve with his family and friends and with all those who feel a sense of loss and pain through these events.
And I assure you that your pastors, and the entire Oakdale Church staff and leadership, are committed to treating each person in our congregation and community with love and respect. We believe that Jesus died for each of us and that every person is created in the image of God and has sacred worth.
As followers of Jesus we continue to pray for our nation and to seek ways to be part of the solution, individually and collectively. The commands Jesus gave us to love our neighbor as ourselves and to go and make disciples of all nations seem more relevant and urgent than ever. The only lasting solution to racism and injustice is the change in our hearts, minds, and behaviors that only God can work in us as we receive his mercy and grace through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, now, more than ever, we remain committed to disciple-making and inviting people to experience healing and reconciliation with God and one another through a personal relationship with Jesus.
I invite you to join me in this commitment to making disciples and to expanding your own heart for others through repentance and prayer and loving others as yourself.
With hope,
David
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