My early years in church were the early years of the church. Many of my pivotal moments in my early childhood church life were momentous occasions for the church. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church is the same age as me, and the Pastor that offered Christ to me, baptized me, licensed me, and ordained me still is serving that faith community.
The first thing I understood is that it is their space, not mine. I was there as an ally. That meant walking silently alongside them and being present. I believe the most important thing is for us to act with humility and acknowledge the harm the church has done. We should not step into their spaces to try to take control, or to tell them, “I forgive you,” as if they were doing something wrong or as if forgiveness was ours to give.
Evangelical faith, the spirituality of the Kingdom must transform into love and care to women victims of violence. How? We must open our eyes and hearts to the signs of these times, more to the confessional creeds and in alliances with other goodwill groups.
Nota editorial: El siguiente poema fue compartido por Mariana Gómez Álvarez Icaza, el 16 de julio de 2025 en el Campamento de Verano por la Paz. Lo reproducimos inédito en español e inglés.
Editorial Note: This poem, first shared by Mariana Gómez Alvarez at the Summer Peace Camp on July 16, 2025, is published here in its original Spanish and English translation.
And now, the call extends to us: to open our churches and hearts to compatriots returning to our lands. Let us expand our tent—becoming open, safe communities of sanctuary in Jesus’ name. Committed to sowing peace through compassion and mercy. Singing for peace, singing for life, lifting our voices for others—even in the midst of storms.
In the midst of these realities, the Risen Christ appears again and says, “Peace be with you.” It is Jesus who steps into our complex lives, shows us his scars of compassion and mercy, and says, “My son, my daughter, have peace. I am at work.” It is Jesus who shows the scars of his love for creation by drawing near, allowing us to touch him, revealing his wounds so that we might understand that he has overcome them. And because he has, we can too.
Standing in the midst of a broken world, Jesus announces the arrival of God’s Kingdom. He does not remain apart on an inaccessible mountaintop; He places Himself at the level of those who suffer and shows them that renewal has already begun. His presence on the plain reminds us that God is not distant from human pain but present, transforming it from within.
We are called to march on behalf of the immigrants who today must hide from modern-day Pharisees promoting abusive policies. You and I are called to reflect divine mercy by recognizing that we are all equal and of immense value before God. We are called to proclaim true freedom—not an exclusive or selective freedom. Because freedom for a few is not freedom; it is oppression and complicity.
Our faith can be expressed in different ways. Throughout the history of the church, one of the most important ways of transmitting and capturing that faith that comes to life has been through the liturgy. Of Greek origin, liturgy means “work of the people.” In its classical sense, liturgy was interpreted as a public service. However, when this service was related to the religious sphere, liturgy referred to official worship given to the gods.
In classic German style, there’s a long word used to describe efforts to work through and overcome the past as the nation reckons with the Holocaust and other Nazi war crimes: Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung. After attempts toward the denazification of the government and other cultural institutions amid the post-war rebuilding and reconciliation, this process of working through the past has included the reappraising of academics, corporations, and others who supported the Nazi regime. Such reflection has also included painful but necessary looks at the actions of church leaders.
Before thinking about the digital platforms for our Church, it is worth reflecting on the virtual space that we want to build, the objectives that we will have for this project and the characteristics that we would like our page to have. If possible, consult with members of the congregation about what type of information they would like to find on the page and in what format (text, video, image).
On a recent visit to Cuba I heard Pentecostal worshippers speaking in tongues and singing coritos, songs that are a part of every Latino evangelical worship service. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer shoulder-to-shoulder with Catholics, Nazarenes, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and others in an ecumenical service attended by hundreds in Havana. I talked openly with pastors about Bible translations with pastors. I worshiped at both registered and unregistered congregations, prayed before meals in homes and restaurants, and nearly broke noise ordinances with loud worship music. When I preached a sermon in the presence of Communist leaders, I felt no threat of harm or silencing.
