FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS – September 18, 2024 – The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists strongly condemns the uprising of xenophobia in Springfield, Ohio, and the recent decision by the parliament in the country of Georgia to further curb LGBTQ rights.
On the final day of its annual board and staff retreat, the AWAB board unanimously voted to send letters of solidarity to its member churches, renouncing the hateful rhetoric about the Haitian population of Springfield and the oppressive new law in Georgia. All present board and staff members signed the letters.
Springfield, Ohio is home to AWAB member congregation First Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Adam Banks is pastor. The church has openly welcomed and accepted the new Haitian population; many have joined the congregation and are active in its ministry. As such, the current anti-immigrant political atmosphere has greatly impacted the FBC community. AWAB stands with FBC, and in addition to letters of support from staff and board, AWAB has asked other member churches to send their prayers and letters of solidarity during this difficult time.
Abroad, AWAB has a relationship with the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, specifically, the Peace Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, where Malkhaz Songulashvili serves as Metropolitan Bishop. In April, AWAB Executive Director Brian Henderson traveled to Georgia at the bishop’s invitation to better understand LGBTQ realities in the wake of bans on same-sex marriage and gender reassignment surgery.
On Tuesday, according to Reuters, Georgian lawmakers approved a bill that would provide a legal basis for authorities to outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag and to impose censorship of films and books, further oppressing the already restrained LGBTQ+ community. AWAB stands with LGBTQ+ Georgians and condemns the actions of its government.
AWAB will continue to monitor the situations in Springfield, Ohio, and Georgia and asks that AWAB members and friends continue to pray and uplift our greater AWAB family. If you would like to send words of support, please contact AWAB at admin@awab.org