Day 38: Antiwar.com

Randolph Bourne Institute
Anitwar.com
1017 El Camino Real, Suite 306
Redwood City, CA 94063

To whom it may concern,

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 and community leaders 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 pattern in their ministry of reconciliation. I’m sure you remember the 276 schoolgirls from Nigeria who were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Roughly three-fourths of those girls belong to the EYN. In fact, 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 make their story so remarkable, but also their courageous response to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN have been steadfast and faithful in their commitment to building peace, despite their horrific trials.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and violence, the EYN have responded with far greater love, courage, and community. They understand that they must be beacon’s of Christ’s love to a community darkened by violence. They have become leaders in working to nonviolently and sustainable restore community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians.

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

I look forward to hearing from you about how you can partner with the EYN in their ministry of reconciliation. The EYN represent the possibility of peace in Nigeria, but they need our awareness and partnership to make that possibility a reality. Please, learn more about the EYN, and speak up. Don’t hesitate to contact me in whichever way is most convenient for you.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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