The Ministry of Resistance

Today, I was a part of a planning meeting for a panel discussion at the upcoming World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meeting which will be held in South Africa. The Central Committee is the governing body for the WCC and is comprised of members representing 580 million Christians from 352 member churches in 120 countries.

The panel was missing one member from a country in Asia, who is studying in the US on a student visa. They will not be able to attend the meeting due to the current travel ban which denies entry to the US for persons from twelve countries. If this member of the panel leaves the US, they could be denied entry upon return. Given this person’s commitments to justice, they would be jailed upon return to their home country. Leaving the US is ill-advised. They are staying home.

In the week that was, ICE raids sparked protests on the streets of Los Angeles. World Pride 2025 was beautifully celebrated on the streets of Washington, DC and in cities and communities globally, acknowledging and affirming the presence and belonging of the queer community (June 7).

The church celebrated Pentecost, a remembrance of the birth of the church, recorded in Acts 2, where present where people from many nations, speaking many languages in defiance of Empire (June 8).

The June 4 presidential proclamation “RESTRICTING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PROTECT THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND OTHER NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS” imposes the latest travel ban which goes into effect, continuing outright expression of xenophobia, as it amplifies the false narratives of blaming and shaming individuals from other countries (June 9).

In this same week, Israel escalated its attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship carrying humanitarian supplies attempted to get aid to Gaza in spite of Israel threats to stop the ships from delivering much needed assistance. 

Meanwhile, a publicly aired dispute between two wealthy men who have disrupted the US government and created fear globally is the center of the news and the world’s attention. The 47th president of the US continues to distract from the challenges he is creating in the world. This week a quarrel with the Tesla owner from South Africa. A few weeks ago, an AI generated photo of him in papal vestments.

The confluence of these incidents is noteworthy, and but a few of the challenges in the world and in our cities and communities. We are 140 days beyond inauguration day with new presidential actions being initiated. 157 executive orders, 65 proclamations, and 40 memoranda have been signed in these 140 days.

The resistance and the fight for justice is ministry for this moment, to create a future where freedom can be realized and experienced by all. This is the call in every age to resist the powers of Empire and emperors.

World Pride was a time of celebration, and a reminder of the on-going homophobia and transphobia on display across the US and centered in the political decisions and discussions in a national where freedom has long been lauded and continues to be elusive for many. In celebrating Pride, resistance to the normativity of oppression and the glorification of hetero-normativity was on-display as love blossomed and bloomed in a rainbow of colors and expressions of self. Pride was protest and celebration. Resistance to the attempted marginalization of queer lives and bodies. Resistance is our feet in the streets.

The Freedom Flotilla was stopped. Those on the ships were detained. The aid they carried was seized. And yet, there is a sense that the mission of resistance was achieved. After the Israeli interception of the vessel, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese urged Mediterranean ports to send more aid ships, calling attempts to break the Israeli siege “a legal duty for states and moral imperative for all.” This too is resistance. Resistance to the occupation, to the years of oppression, to a war that is disproportionate to the perpetuation of genocide in a world where peace is elusive for millions. Resistance comes from the waters too.

The streets of Los Angeles are a site of resistance as are the streets of other cities and communities where people are protesting the treatment of immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is targeting people and communities based on bias and stereotypes. Last week while visiting with Native American churches in the United Church of Christ (UCC) I heard the stories of ICE raids being conducted on reservations. Native Americans are being picked up too, their citizenship being questioned as their rights continue to be ignored.

In April the current administration attempted to overturn birthright citizenship an action which raised concerns for the first people of these stolen lands. Native Americans were acknowledged as US citizens and granted citizenship in 1924, more evidence of settler injustice in this land. Resistance has come from multiple federal judges who have blocked the Executive Order. Resistance is in the gavel and the pen.

The church was born from a movement of resistance, led by a man who knew what it meant to be poor and unseen. Jesus fed the people. He spoke out against the colluding religious leaders of his day. He pushed back against the Roman who colonized and occupied his home then. The church is a part of the resistance, a prophetic witness resisting the principalities and powers of this age. Resistance is in the sacred texts. Resistance is in the pulpits.

Resistance is taking many forms and requires showing up in the face of evil on behalf of ourselves and others. There is resistance in our words, resistance in our actions. Resistance is present when we push back against the prevailing narratives of a status quo that continues to cause harm to the existence of the created.

“We who believe in freedom cannot rest; we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.” Resistance is in our music, in the lyrics of our songs, in the murals on our walls, and the poems we compose.

And there are times, when not showing up is resistance.