(OGA) The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging Colombia’s president to stand behind the peace accords signed by his predecessor. President Iván Duque has expressed concern over several items in legislation that would lead to peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. Duque has objected to several parts of the so-called Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). In a letter to Duque, Nelson described the PC(USA)’s commitment to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia that dates back to 1856. “In the last two decades, we have supported and accompanied the Presbyterian Church of Colombia in their task as peacemakers walking together with displaced and threatened communities,” Nelson writes. “Our primary concern is to continue to accompany the Colombian church in this task, because the voice of the vulnerable often is not heard by those in power and their needs are often … [Read more...]

(OGA) As the humanitarian and economic crisis worsens in Venezuela, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging all Presbyterians to pray for a peaceful solution. In a letter to the church, Nelson said the people of Venezuela are facing shortages of food, medicine, and basic services in the midst of widespread corruption. “We call upon those in power in the country to seek a peaceful resolution to this struggle for leadership,” the letter reads. “We urge those from outside who are threatening intervention to desist from actions that can only make the Venezuelan tragedy worse and exacerbate what is already a regional crisis.” Nelson asks for prayers for the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV), a PC(USA) partner through the Venezuelan Mission Network and other ecumenical organizations. Read the full letter below: February 6, 2019 Sisters and Brothers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I urgently call … [Read more...]

Dear Sisters and Brothers, This week I invite you to join in prayer with our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  They face uncertainty about the national election set for December 23, which should culminate in Congo’s first peaceful transfer of power of the Head of State. The population sees many challenges to achieving elections that they consider credible: there is skepticism about the use of electronic voting machines, whilst much of the country does not have access to electricity; the destruction last week of 80% of the voting materials for Kinshasa by an arson fire at the heavily guarded voting materials depot; concern for the logistical hurdles to overcome due to inadequate infrastructure; reports of political violence, including killings; active militia attacks in Eastern Congo; and the not yet contained Ebola outbreaks in Eastern Congo. But the will of the Congo people is also strong, and many have great hope in God.  Let us join in faithful … [Read more...]

(OGA) The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has sent a letter to Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, speaking against his position on companies that participate in boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. The governor recently signed an executive order to ban the awarding of state contracts to companies that support the BDS movement. In the letter, Nelson says the executive order contains a number of misrepresentations and joins Kentucky with the Israeli government’s efforts to suppress criticism of its violation of Palestinian human rights. “Your resolution cuts directly at the heart of the historical commitment of Presbyterians that, as a matter of our faith, we are bound to ensure that the resources we have, including our financial resources, are used in ways that reflect our belief in the biblical mandate to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God,” the letter reads. Nelson provides some history of the … [Read more...]

Sisters and Brothers, I urgently call you to prayer for our partners and friends in Cameroon, a nation divided by language between French-speaking and English-speaking regions. Tensions have risen to a deadly and inflammatory level as English-speaking citizens have petitioned, unsuccessfully, for translation of important document from their original French into English. The escalation has resulted in many deaths and most recently a group of armed men entered the campus of the Presbyterian Secondary School (PSS) a Nkwen, Bamenda, and abducted 78 students and three staff members, according to a statement by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Fonki, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon (PCC). We rejoice in the release of the students today but continue to pray for staff. In addition, the government, intending to quell the political protests, closed several businesses and shut down the internet access in the two English-speaking provinces. In addition: seven of the PCC’s health … [Read more...]

(OGA) The recent mass murders in Pittsburgh, the random assassination of two African Americans at a Louisville grocery store, and the two dozen pipe bombs mailed to prominent national figures have dominated the headlines. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), says the common threads in all of these actions are political, religious, and racial hatred, along with racial arrogance. “To our shame, this tragic, senseless web of violence is the fruit of an atmosphere of pride, prejudice, and hatred that has infused our whole body politic,” he said. “It is the manifestation of a disease that has infected our daily lives, our ability to dialog with one another, and the workings of our political process to the point that we see only absolutes.” As the election approaches, Nelson says the voices of people of faith are more urgent than ever. “Our voices are imperative as those who worship and serve a God who loves us all equally, and … [Read more...]