We believe that our Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus require the rejection of racism in all forms. We are instructed by the scriptures to see all human beings as created in the image of God and equal before their Creator. The United States has a painful history of racial violence, beginning with the enslavement of Africans and the genocide of Native Americans. We stand with peaceful demonstrators in affirming that Black Lives Matter and that systemic racism must be dismantled. As faithful followers of Jesus we are committed to work toward achieving dignity, equality, mutual respect, and compassion for all human beings.