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Dear Crossroads,
It is with grief and sadness we heard about the tragic findings of children buried at the former Kamloops residential school last week. Below you will find a statement from our Alliance Canada President, Dave Hearn. The evil that happened in these schools was horrible and unacceptable. This evil was not God’s will, nor does it reveal God’s heart for the First Nations people and all people in the world. However, Jesus is God’s will for us and he reveals why he came to the world in Luke 4:18-19:
 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
 
I pray for our First Nations neighbours and families' true healing. I pray encounter with the true God who gives freedom, restores sight and sets the oppressed free - in Jesus name.
 
Please know we as pastors and prayer teams are here to pray and dialogue with you. 
 
Joel
Statement on Kamloops Indian Residential School
The Alliance Canada

June 1, 2021

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada profoundly grieves the recent revelation of the deaths of 215 indigenous children in Kamloops, B.C. Our heart goes out to their families, their home communities, and to all First Nations across Canada.

The residential school system remains a stain on Canada’s history. We acknowledge that our ancestors participated in this injustice, even through their silence and inaction. On behalf of our family of churches, I sincerely apologize for the sins of our ancestors and failure to protect these innocent children.

We acknowledge the blindness and institutionalized racism of our past and we are committed to work toward a better future. As a church, we own our sins of the past and repent of this failure—yes, even generations later—and commit to representing Jesus better now and in the future.

We pause, we remember, we search our hearts, and we promise to do better for all children. We will continue to pursue truth and reconciliation in keeping with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action.

Come, Lord Jesus. 

Rev. Dr. David Hearn 
President 
The Alliance Canada