2015/07/09 –

South Carolina, the first state to secede from our Union in 1860, voted through its General Assembly Thursday night to remove the Confederate battle flag from its Capitol grounds. After the tragic murder of nine African American Christians studying God’s word in Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, South Carolina is leading the nation to come to terms with the legacy of the Confederacy and what it means for millions of our fellow Southerners. This noble and symbolic gesture is good for both business and politics. Moreover, it is a glorious moment for those of us who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. What a testimony of justice and racial reconciliation, motivated by Gospel imperatives.

 

We, the undersigned, represent an interracial and interdenominational coalition of Christians here in Mississippi. We beseech Governor Phil Bryant, our brother in Christ, to do the right thing: lead our State in changing our flag. As Senator Roger Wicker wonderfully noted, now is our I Corinthians 8 moment: “The lesson from this passage leads me to conclude that the flag should be removed since it causes offense to so many of my brothers and sisters, creating dissension rather than unity.”

 

Mississippi followed South Carolina in seceding from the Union. As Christians in the Hospitality State, boldly exemplifying the love of Christ, we too can lead the nation in the moral courage to remove the Confederate symbol from our state flag. We are proud to be Americans, we love Mississippi, and as Christians we are also blessed to be citizens of the heavenly Kingdom of God. May we now raise a flag that represents the best of our shared future. We trust that our Lord, by the Holy Spirit, will lead you in making the righteous decision.

 

Amazed by God’s grace,

 

Rev. Dr. Isiac Jackson, Jr.

President

General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi

Canton, MS

 

C J Rhodes

Pastor

Mount Helm MB Church

Jackson, MS

 

Marvin J Johnson
Pastor
Abounding Grace World Healing Church
Jackson MS

 

Kimberly L. Campbell, Esq.
State Legislator/Mississippi House of Representatives
Member/Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
Jackson, MS

 

Reginald M. Buckley

Pastor

Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Jackson, MS

 

Jefforey A. Stafford

Pastor

Pleasant Green Baptist Church

Vicksburg, MS

 

Rev. Dr. Wesley Bridges
CEO/ Bridges To Cross Outreach Ministries
Silver Creek, MS

 

Rev. Kenneth M. Thrasher
1st Vice President
Hazlehurst Branch NAACP
Hazlehurst, MS

 

Horace McMillon
Pastor
Open Door Mennonite Church
Jackson, MS

 

Jesse Jackson

President

National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada

 

Erica Holloway, Pastor
New Zion Baptist Church/Ministry
Jackson, MS

 

Rev. Michelle Shrader
United Methodist Mississippi Annual Conference
Central Methodist Mission Cape Town, SA
Missionary Pastor

 

Audrey Hall
Pastor
Holy Temple Baptist Church
Jackson MS

 

J. Artie Stuckey

Pastor

Restoration Baptist Church

Jackson MS

 

Willie J. Mott, Jr.

Elder

Agape Christian Fellowship

Jackson, MS

 

Lexie Elmore

Minister

New Zion Baptist Church

Magnolia, MS

 

Je’Tua Amos

Evangelist

Macedonia Ministries

Byram, MS

 

Maxine Evans Gray
Pastor
The Exodus Assembly
Jackson, MS

 

Tasha Dillon
Location Pastor
New Life Fellowship Church
McComb, MS

 

Derek T. Harris

Bishop

New Life In Christ / Embassy International Fellowship

Jackson, MS