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May 27 will hopefully be remembered for a long time to come. It has been 3 weeks since the findings of the 215 indigenous children in Kamloops. 215 – let that sink in. I have been moved while read the reports of how thousands of indigenous children were separated from their families and forced to attend residential schools and many of the children endured physical, sexual and emotional abuse in both government and church run institutions. By Church run institutions? Yes, you read that right…. MY heart has been broken, this goes against everything I know about Jesus and our Father in Heaven.
 
Kamloops has a special place in my heart, both my kids were born there, we lived just outside of Kamloops for 6 years, not once did I hear about the possible issues concerning the history of this residential school in Kamloops. And I am saddened by that. I have reached out to friends who serve as youth pastors in an Indigenous Church in Kamloops. I encourage you to continue to think about who you can reach out to and how you can respond.
 
On Sunday, June 27th the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada is asking that everyone wear orange in solidarity with the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation and all residential school survivors. I was looking through my wardrobe and was looking for orange shirts and I only have one, I think it is time that I purchase more orange shirts to help me intentionally remember the children that were treated so poorly just because the colour of their skin.
 
Do you want to know how God views you, me, and every other human in this world? Ephesians 2:10, tells us that we are God’s masterpiece. That he has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” These children were God’s masterpiece but were treated like they were worth nothing, which is so false. Were these children important to Jesus? YES!!! There’s a great passage of scripture in Mark where Jesus comes in contact with children and the disciples try to shoo them away like they were lesser-thans, but it was the complete opposite. Mark 10:13-16. “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”
 
A few thoughts:

  • Jesus loves ALL children.
  • Disciples viewed kids as a nuisance, Jesus views ALL kids as important.
  • Jesus not only spent time with the Children, he showed affection to them.

As a church, how are we going to show the world that Jesus is about Love, Joy, Peace and Hope today? Love God, Love ALL others.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Trevor