Day 25: Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin
Peace Action
Montgomery Center
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 524
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dear Mr. Martin,

My name is Emmett Eldred. I am one of many youth and young adults who belong to an active, passionate movement within the Church of the Brethren to better reflect the love and teachings of Jesus in our everyday lives. I am writing to you as part of a series of over 1000 letters that I will over the next year about the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

It is my hope that you will share the EYN’s story and include the EYN in your programming. I’m sure you remember the 276 schoolgirls from northern Nigeria who were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Roughly three-fourths of those girls belong to the EYN. Few groups have suffered from the violence in Nigeria as severely as the EYN, and their situation continues to worsen.

However, it is not only the suffering of the EYN that makes their story so remarkable, but also their inspiring response to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN have been faithful and steadfast in their commitment to building peace, despite their horrific trials.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN consistently respond with far greater love, courage, and community. They understand that as Christians they must be beacons of Christ’s love to a landscape darkened by violence. They have become leaders in working to restore community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians, even when it means sacrifice.

These people fill me with hope, and I will never stop advocating for them.

I hope you will learn more about the EYN and share their story. Please, include them in your programming and partner with them in their ministry of reconciliation. The EYN represent the possibility of sustainable peace in Nigeria, but as their own safety begins to deteriorate, they need our aid and partnership to continue to work to build peace through tactical nonviolence and Christ-shaped love.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

Emmett Eldred
Carnegie Mellon University SMC# 2046
Pittsburgh, PA 15289
eeldred@andrew.cmu.edu
814-502-8349