"Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life..."
-- Jimmy Carter

This quote from former President Jimmy Carter will never lose its power and truth. It is specifically relevant today as we continue to witness economic disparity within communities throughout the world.

Let's face it. We live in a society is filled with greed, self-absorption and disregard for the basic rights of all people. Oil gushes into the Gulf of Mexico and an even worse oil pollution routinely poisons the homeland of 30 million Nigerians. The world and community suffer great economic and environmental losses due to the reality of the insatiable need for people to gain power and money at all costs. There can be no peaceful existence for all of humanity when economic disparity and complete disregard for wildlife, water sources and marine life get caught in the balance of “unclean hands” and unethical practices.

As a pastor, I believe that the church is called to carry the banner of justice and peace by calling out these disparities. We must continue to speak hope by the way in which we send mission groups throughout the world that strive to help clean up the environment. We must remain focused on helping those who have suffered losses of income and health as a result of economic greed. We must be the ones who turn swords into plowshares, such that all people have the opportunity to lead productive lives. We must be accountable for protecting what God has created and ensure that the world will be a place of peace and hope for generations to come. The fight for human rights must continue to be lifted up; it begins with us!