Stop using nuclear war rhetoric, start fighting climate change and always speak the truth. These are some of the demands an international assembly of Pentecostal and charismatic leaders sent today to the White House on the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Amos Yong and Craig S. Keener, commonly viewed as two of the world’s leading Pentecostal scholars, are among the signatories. Brian Zahnd, pastor of Word of Life church in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Jane Caulton, minister of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C., also stand by the letter.

“Approaches to effective policy vary, but please move away from comments that belittle ethnic minorities, immigrants, etc.”, says Craig S. Keener.

The non-partisan open letter is organized by Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & Justice. The areas it covers are:

demonization of immigrants and minorities; reckless nuclear war rhetoric; loosening of environmental protection; belittling and abuse of women; disrespect of indigenous people; inequalities between rich and poor; and dishonesty and lying.

The Letter

Dear Mr. President,

We, leaders in the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, who share the belief in God’s Word, salvation uniquely found in Jesus Christ and the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, write to you today on the anniversary of your inauguration.

We write this to, with great respect, express dissatisfaction, discomfort and distrust in your policies and behavior.

As Pentecostals and Charismatics, one of our distinctive focuses is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Christ Jesus, and it is incongruous for us to claim His gifts while walking and working in a way that does not follow Jesus’ teachings, commands, and heart. Because we follow the Spirit of Christ, we cannot support anti-Christlike words, behavior, policies and values of any person, even if it’s the president of the United States.

When looking at your political work and administration, we are deeply critical to:

We call on you to repent, to read and understand what you have described as your favorite book, the Bible, and to be filled with and obey the Holy Spirit. We will pray for you and your administration, and we deeply hope that you will change your ways.

Kindest regards,

Amos Yong, Professor Of Theology And Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary, Assemblies of God, California.

Brian Zahnd, Pastor, Word of Life Church, Missouri.

Craig S. Keener, Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, Great Commission Fellowship Vineyard, Kentucky.

Jane Caulton, Minister, Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, District of Columbia.

Johnathan Alvarado, Pastor of Grace Church International Atlanta, Georgia.

Florian Berndt, Theologian, Fatherheart Ministries, Germany.

Danek Bourgoin, Professor, United Pentecostal Church International, Canada.

Arthur Bucher, Church leader, Circle of Hope, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Kevin Daugherty, Bivocational Pastor, Unfailing Love, Pennsylvania.

Dennis DuPont, Chaplain, Church of God, Maryland.

Rudy Estrada, Dean of Academic Affairs, LABI College, California.

Torbjörn Freij, Pastor, Vineyard Fellowship, Sweden.

Micael Grenholm, Editor-in-chief for PCPJ, Mosaik Church, Sweden.

Rev. Donald Guffey, Ordained Minister, Assemblies of God, Tennessee.

Erik Holke, Theological Seminar Leader, Saron Church Gothenburg, Sweden

Sian-chin Iap, Postdoctoral Fellow, Chungli Assembly of God, Taiwan.

Joseph R. Kidwell, Pastor, Greater Grace & Deliverance Ministries, Florida.

PsyD Marcus Kilian, Psychologist, Real Life Church, Minnesota.

David Ketter, Pastor, The Village Church, Pennsylvania.

Dave Larson, Missionary Humanitarian Worker, Christ Commission Fellowship, Philippines.

Rev. Samuel J. Lopez, Pastor, Amazing Love Sanctuary, Colorado.

James Melnarik, Youth Leader, Havenhouse Foursquare, California.

D. E. “Gene” Mills Jr, Clergy and scholar, Church of God (Cleveland, TN).

L. William Oliverio Jr., Associate Academic Dean Assemblies of God, The School of Urban Missions, California.

Daniel J. Schmitz, Lead Pastor, New Hope Covenant Church, California.

Aaron Taylor, Filmmaker, Life Church, New Mexico.

Rev. Faith Totushek, Pastor, Way Finders, Minnesota.

Dr. Richard E. Waldrop, Missionary, Church of God (Cleveland, TN), Tennessee.

Paul Walker, Pastor of The Meeting Place, Canada.

Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & Justice is a multicultural, gender inclusive, and ecumenical organization that promotes peace, justice, and reconciliation work among Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians around the world. If you like what we do, please become a member!