Pastor Jonah looked before his those who had assembled before him, those whom he had preached to, and spoken with and come to love as his own family. At that moment, he was afraid. Not for himself, but for those around him. Death was a common occurance in Djombar, but those standing before him were his charges, his flock.
Lord, I commit myself into your hands. Guide me, that your servants who stand here might see peace in Djombar again. . Jonah cleared his throat and raised his hand to call the others to attention.
"Brothers, this year has been frought with strife, with persecution, and with death. The challenges before us are daughting, but the Lord has given us this charge: to stand firm in the face of adversity, to live our convictions and to defend our lives from those who see us dead. With the blessing of the lord, we may see peace in Djombar.
I do not wish to be standing here, but in such grave times, someone must stand forth to do as the lord commanded: Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, please the case of the widow. I believe I am meant to be here, to help us all secure freedom and peace in our lands, and in Djombar. I am not a violent man, and we violent people... But action is required to secure peace, and it unfortunate that this requires conflict.
Now, as many of you know, over the last week, I have struggled with this decision. I have consulted others, writing to letters to the other church leaders in Notre Dame. Persecutions are up, General Guelleh threatens the Christian churches. Now, Paul, in the book of Romans, tells that 'everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.' Paul's words have been a burden on my mind, for how can a Christian man justify standing up and defending his life against an authority who would persecute him for his religious beliefs? After much consideration, I believe I have arrived at a conclusion. All authorities are subject to the laws which they enforce, and to the laws which govern authorties. When men stand in opposition to God and to the laws which they are charged with carrying out, then I believe these men forsake the authority which would have otherwise been bestowed upon them. Though I have reservations in my conclusion, I can no longer stand by watching my brothers suffer. Djombar is not a nation which has been kind to Christians in the past, but with a God's grace, we have a chance to change that.
I am here to announce the creation of the Christian Alliance. We shall work with all other Christian fiaths. We must remember that we are all brother in Christ, though we disagree over some matters. The Christian Alliance will not have pretentions of ruling Djombar. We shall only seek to defend Christians in Djombar from the dangers that threaten us all. We will not go forward with hate, but with love. We will stand firm, in justice, and in mercy. We will work with those who would let us live and worship freely, and we shall stand against those who would deprive us of our lives, our families, and our Lord. As we go forward, let us keep the words of our savior in mind. 'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.' Go in peace, my brothers, and stand firm in the grace given us by our Lord God. Now, be for we finish, let us pray for guidance in these troubled times..."
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. I will not be fully available through tomorrow and the weekend.
