WHEREAS, The Scriptures clearly state that God is “the God of peace” (Hebrews 13:20), who maintains “the right of the afflicted and the destitute” (Psalm 82:3) and rescues “the weak and needy,” delivering them “from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4); and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures testify that Jesus is the “prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6) who came to “reconcile to himself all things, whether in heaven or in the earth, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20); and
WHEREAS, One day Christians will share in the peace that can only fully be accomplished under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures also declare that “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9), because “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18), so “if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18); and
WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention in our 1968 resolution “On Peace” resolved to urge nations involved in conflict “to seek an honorable solution that will bring a just and durable peace that recognizes the dignity and values of human personality and the inalienable right of all men to be free”; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have been serving in Eastern Europe and Ukraine since the fall of the Iron Curtain, seeing countless lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ through ongoing Great Commission efforts, including missions, church planting, and theological education; and
WHEREAS, Beginning on February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation has engaged in a war of aggression against the sovereign nation of Ukraine, which has led to widespread destruction among the cities of Ukraine, the displacement of nearly twelve million of its citizens, untold damage to communities, and a yet unknown number of casualties among both the Ukrainian and the Russian people; and
WHEREAS, The Ukrainian people have fought valiantly to defend their country and land from the invading Russian Federation while continuing to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict; and
WHEREAS, The Russian Federation has not engaged in good faith negotiations for peace, but instead has committed egregious acts of violence, hostility, and aggression against the people of Ukraine, including civilians and non-combatants; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations passed a resolution demanding aid access for Ukraine and denounced the Russian Federation for “creating a dire humanitarian crisis,” whose effects are and will be felt worldwide, and the 117th Congress passed House Resolution 956, demanding a “full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory”; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of all Christians to “turn away from evil and do good” to “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11) and to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Anaheim, California, June 14-15, 2022, strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation in her declaration and acts of war against the sovereign nation of Ukraine; and be it further
RESOLVED, That, in agreement with House Resolution 956, we call upon Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities immediately, withdraw the Russian military, and end this war of aggression against Ukraine and her people; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we implore the United States government to prioritize the admission of Ukrainian refugees into our country and provide resources for their support and resettlement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend, appreciate, and will continue to support the ongoing relief efforts of Southern Baptists in Ukraine through the work of the International Mission Board and Send Relief, who are working diligently to aid Ukrainian refugees fleeing to other parts of Ukraine or to the safe harbors of neighboring countries; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ as well as the people of Ukraine who have endured these atrocities and who have witnessed the horrors of war firsthand while seeking to defend their country from an invasion by a hostile army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we will pray for Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, like-minded institutions, and our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the country of Ukraine who continue to share the gospel, minister to the hurting, serve their churches, gather for worship, and exalt our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of a warzone at great risk to themselves, their families, and their churches; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we likewise will pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Russian Federation and for all who stand opposed to this war of Russian aggression, speaking out against it at great personal cost to themselves, their families, and their churches; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we will earnestly and continually pray to the Lord, who is able to do all things, for an end to this war, for peace in Ukraine, for the presidents and leaders of both countries, and for the gospel of Jesus Christ to shine forth as a beacon of eternal peace, security, and salvation for all who will turn to him.