Pastor Kory's Update

Dear West Covina Christian Church Family,

Recently, many have taken to the streets (including our city of West Covina) to protest the racial injustices that exist in our country.  We’ve all seen, heard, and read about the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.  It deeply saddens, angers, and frustrates us whenever an act of violence is done against a person—someone created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  We as Christians and as a church must have something to say about this because we know that God is a God of justice, righteousness, mercy, and reconciliation.

On Monday, I went by the protests on Barranca to see what was taking place.  I was proud of how people were protesting peacefully.  As a white American with all sorts of privileges that I am unable to fully grasp, I do not pretend that I can really understand the racial injustices that others have experienced, but it deeply hurts me when I see others needlessly lose their lives or be discriminated against simply because of the color of their skin.  Sometimes all I can do is pray and acknowledge that Jesus does understand each person’s experiences and He does have the answers to racism and racial inequality.  While we may wonder if things will ever change, we know that God does have the power to bring true and lasting change.  That change can happen now, and it will surely happen once and for all when Christ comes back.  We look forward to the day described in Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”  Until then may we continue to proclaim who Jesus is, stand beside those who are treated unfairly, and seek to demonstrate God’s heart for the marginalized and oppressed.

West Covina Christian Church is a racially diverse congregation.  We have an opportunity to model God’s love by listening to those who have different experiences than we have had, learning about different cultures, being involved in our community, and praying for eyes to see things as God sees them.

Wanting to speak to give more than one perspective on this issue, next week’s church newsletter will include an interview with Erick and Danielle Hoxie.

God bless you and our country,
Pastor Kory