Having witnessed the violent acts and attempts of insurrection by supporters of President Donald J. Trump yesterday in the Capitol Building, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. goes on record condemning in the strongest terms possible these acts.
We affirm the rights of all citizens of the United States for “Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion”. However, we condemn the use of these freedoms to intimidate, invoke fear, harm, and enact violence against any person and/or private property. We stand against those who encourage such violent and deplorable actions, as well as those whose rhetoric encourages and empowers such behaviors.
Finally, as a Body of Believers, we stand in unity against all those who shroud violence, acts of racism and injustice, and attempts of insurrection in Christian language and images. The Holy Scriptures encourage us to “live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). The use of Christian imagery and invoking of the Lord God throughout these riots and acts directly contradicts this invocation from the Bible, and do not accurately represent the values of peace, love, and goodwill towards all men that characterize the Body of Christ. We stand with other faith leaders and condemn such positioning.
Our prayers are with the family members of those who lost their lives or were injured in yesterday’s riots. We implore you to join us as we continue to pray for the United States, the leadership of this nation, for first responders who stood against such violence, and the peace and stability of our society. We encourage you to also pray for peace and health worldwide, as we continue to face great impacts of this coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr.
Presiding Bishop
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.
Eleventh in Succession