UCC leaders ask church to pray this Easter for U.S. journalist detained in Russia

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained in Russia on March 29 while on a reporting trip and accused of spying, making him the first U.S. journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges since the Cold War. The United Church of Christ leadership is asking the wider church to join in lifting up Gershkovich in prayer this Easter season.

Dear Church Family,

As you celebrate the resurrection of the one who proclaimed freedom for captives, please pray for Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter wrongly held in a Russian jail.

Evan is just 31 and already an esteemed, distinguished journalist who has sought to keep the world well-informed during a particularly troubled period. During a time when we celebrate ideas such as truth, service, sacrifice, faithfulness and deliverance, we ask that you and your congregations stand with Evan and call for his release in the spirit of humanity and love.

Please consider joining together in prayer with us this Easter weekend, especially using social media platforms. You can share your prayers on social media with the hashtags #IStandWithEvan and #FreeEvanNow. (Here is a helpful guide to using images with social media.)

You can read more about Evan’s life and his commitment to his work here.

May God’s presence, even there, strengthen and protect Evan until we can bring him home. 

Faithfully,

Elected Officers of the United Church of Christ
The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister and Vice President
The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister and Vice President

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