Day 31: Rick Warren

Rick Warren
PO Box 80448
RSM, California 92688

Dear Mr. Warren,

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 write to public figures 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 inspiring story and partner in their ministry of reconciliation. I’m sure you recall the 276 schoolgirls from northern Nigeria who were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Roughly three-fourths of those girls belong to the EYN. In fact, few groups have suffered and continue to suffer from the violence in Nigeria as severely as the EYN.

However, it is not just the suffering of the EYN that makes their story so remarkable, but also their inspiring, courageous 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 the commitment to building peace, despite their horrific trials.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN have consistently responded with far greater love, courage, and community. They understand that 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.

If there’s one thing I know about you, it is that you value the hope inspiring by the love of Christ. In a world whose media is saturated with accounts of evil, I think it is more important than ever to learn about and support the ministries of people working for good. The EYN embody your P.E.A.C.E. framework, working to promote reconciliation, through love, devotion, service, and eduction. The EYN represent the possibility of peace in Nigeria, but they need our help and partnership to make that possibility a reality. So please, invest in hope. Share the EYN’s story, and support their ministry.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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