March 28, 2008
Kitale, Kenya: After Kenya’s failed Presidential election in December of 2007, the country entered a severe crisis over power and control. For months there was fighting in the streets that broke out across the country, dividing over party and tribal divisions that have long been held. In the reconciliation and rebuilding process that followed many Christian groups came together to forge a renewed alliance of unity and peace. Community Uplift Ministries joined in those efforts with relief funds for the Internally Displaced People near Kitale and a letter of encouragement for the church leaders in the 23 communities where CoL operates.
International Christian Ministries (ICM), a Christian organization that assisted in the reconciliation process and a strategic alliance partner with Synergy Initiatives, hosted a gathering for pastors from all 23 CoL communities, where the following letter from John Coors was read:
March 12, 2008
To my Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings from all of us at Community Uplift Ministries and the many friends you have around the world who have visited Kenya or joined us in our efforts. May God’s grace, mercy and peace be yours in abundance as you strive to restore and reunite as one country.
Since 2001, we have joined together to bring light to your communities. Now we join you in prayer as you work to bring the true Light of the World, Jesus Christ, to the deepest darkness of the human condition that only God’s love and light can penetrate.
As you join together today as local pastors and Christian leaders to seek God’s mercy, we encourage you that God has given you a high calling for such a time as this. You are Christ’s ambassadors in this world and especially during this time of healing and reconciliation. Your charge is to speak only on behalf of King Jesus, whom you represent. You are His calm voice during the crashing waves of chaos and confusion. You represent His peace in this world of troubles and tribulation. In humility, you have the opportunity to declare peace over this storm. You can serve as His sanctuary for lost souls and displaced people. As a fellow alien and stranger in this world, you can offer them the sheltering love of Jesus.
As a leader, I am often gripped and immobilized by fear. I can only imagine what you face everyday that may cause fear in your lives. Three-hundred-and-sixty-five times, the Scriptures commands us, “Do not be afraid.” That’s enough encouragement to face every day in a year with the promise of His strength and courage. Be of good cheer, because Jesus has overcome this world.
I urge you to set an example of love by “being one with each other…” undivided in your common love in Christ and for Christ. You have been given His ministry of reconciliation and truth in the midst of recent unrest and division. Let no human leader distract you from the one God who calls you to love your neighbor as yourself and to live at peace with each other. I pray that no affiliation, political ideology, personal gain or bitterness will be able to harden your hearts to each other. Instead, I hope that you will be able to speak the truth to each other in love, reconcile any differences you may have and model Christ’s love and forgiveness to those who so desperately need it.
We at Community Uplift Ministries pray that progress will continue to be made in the implementation of the recent political agreement to bring about peace, stability and a return of democracy for your country. But we do not rest our hopes only on the peace agreement or any other human intervention. We, like you, place our hopes for peace in the Lord Jesus Christ. You are His light, put on display during these dark days. Let your light shine before all men, women and children so that they may see Jesus and turn to Him. Give our greetings and our blessings to your families and those in your care.
Your friend in Christ,
Dr. John Coors
