Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Maryland pastor urges Baptists to speak out on racial issues: ‘It’s an issue of right versus wrong’

  • July 13, 2022
  • Michael Foust
  • Alabama, Conferences, International News, Latest News, Maryland
John K. Jenkins Sr. speaks at the Baptist World Alliance opening session.
(Photo by Tracy Riggs/The Baptist Paper)

Maryland pastor urges Baptists to speak out on racial issues: ‘It’s an issue of right versus wrong’

The pastor of a Maryland megachurch on July 11 urged Baptists around the world to speak out against systemic racism, saying Christians have too often been silent on the issue even as secular institutions take a stand.  

“Companies are making statements. Entire institutions of higher learning have made statements,” noted John K. Jenkins Sr., pastor of First Baptist Church Glenarden, and chair of the board for the National Association of Evangelicals. “Public appearances, celebrities, actors, activists are doing something. But where’s the church?”

Jenkins made the comments during the opening celebration of the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, held at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, July 10-15. The event attracted Baptists from around the world. 

Jenkins, who has been pastor of the Washington, D.C. area church for 33 years, read Psalm 106:3: “Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times.”

The passage has modern relevance, Jenkins asserted, because for decades “people of color were lynched, killed, arrested [and] treated unjustly.” Jenkins referenced the killings of Eric Garner and George Floyd, saying, “This is not an issue of white versus black. It’s an issue of right versus wrong.”

‘We should want righteousness’

Jenkins quoted Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

Too often, Jenkins noted, the “power structure” in communities is “consoled by the church’s silence.” 

Such was not the case in the early Church, which was composed of Christians who were “God intoxicated,” he said. 

“They went on with the conviction that they were a colony of heaven and had to obey God rather than men,” Jenkins explained. “They were small in number but big in commitment. … They brought an end to such ancient events as killing babies and gladiator contests. 

“Things are different now,” he noted. “The contemporary church is so often a weak, ineffective voice with an uncertain sound.”

Looking ahead with confidence

He noted, “Yes, we have a problem not only in our country, but in many. And we should want justice. We should want righteousness. Yes, we should demand for all to be treated as human beings, to be respected as human beings and given the rights of human beings.”

Jenkins concluded with a word of optimism. 

“We’ve seen worse than this and we’ve made it through,” he said. “And I guarantee you today we are going to make it through this as well. We are a strong people. We are a resilient people. We can’t be defeated. We do have God on our side.”

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

photo of Capital Hill, Washington, D.C.

ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released its 2023 Public Policy Agenda, highlighting its national legislative and public policy priorities that the organization plans

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5

Does It Call You to Trust God? Hebrews 11:1–6, 13–16 Many believers skip over the Epistle to the Hebrews, a biblical book better classified as

‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’

Longtime college football coach Tommy Bowden challenged Georgia pastors and politicians on Thursday to always take bold stands for Christ despite the fallout they may

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for February 5

I AM THE LIGHT John 8:3–18 Sky Beam, the world’s brightest man-made light, sits atop the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Airline pilots can spot

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel