FALLS CHURCH (ABP) — Baptists in the United States and elsewhere in the world are responding with aid and prayers for their counterparts in the embattled former Soviet republic of Georgia.
The conflict between it and Russia has cost hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of people on both sides.
“We pray that the conflict is peacefully resolved and opposing sides reconciled,” said Malkhaz Songulashvili, the archbishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, in a statement posted on the organization's website. “We mourn about the death of soldiers, children, men, women, elderly from both sides who lose their lives even as I write this statement. We deplore injustice, aggression and the conflict resolution at the cost of civilian lives.”
Photo courtesy CBF of Georgia
CBF of Georgia coordinator Frank Broome (left) introduces Malkhaz Songulashvili, the archbishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, at the CBF of Georgia fall convocation in 2006. The dialogue was part of a Georgia-Georgia partnership, which now includes relief assistance after recent violence in the country.
Songulashivli called on Georgia's Western allies to come to the aid of the tiny republic, wedged between Russia's southern border, the Black Sea, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. “We call on the international community, religious leaders and all the people of goodwill for their support of the long-suffering people of Georgia,” he said.
Georgian and Russian leaders each contend that the other side provoked the conflict.
Russian troops responded with an overwhelming show of force to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's attempt to assert control over South Ossetia. The province is regarded by international law as officially part of Georgia, but many of its residents consider themselves Russians and hold Russian citizenship.
President Bush called on Russian leaders Aug. 13 to obey the terms of the cease-fire and withdraw from undisputed Georgian territory. He also said that U.S. military planes and warships would begin bringing humanitarian aid into Georgia.
Baptist World Aid, the humanitarian arm of the Baptist World Alliance, has provided an initial $10,000 grant to Georgian Baptists for relief work. “We condemn this wanton taking of human life, and mourn the death and suffering of all the peoples of this region,” said BWAid Director Paul Montacute, in a press statement. “Baptists of the world pledge their support for all in need with their prayers, expressions of concern and their giving.”
European Baptist Federation General Secretary Tony Peck said, “We are very concerned about the whole situation and urge a peaceful resolution of the conflict.” He called on all European Baptists to pray for peace in the Caucasus region.
International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches USA has also designated a $7,500 emergency grant for Georgian Baptists to use to relieve the suffering, according to the American Baptist News Service. Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries, and Charles Jones, the agency's area director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, have both been in contact with Georgian Baptist leaders. Trulson said, “We are deeply concerned about the destruction taking place in Georgia and are praying fervently for the people of Georgia as well as for those who are causing this chaos.”
Merab Gprindashvili, another Georgian Baptist leader, noted in an e-mail to Trulson that he had become a refugee himself even as he was trying to help others. Gprindashvili reported: “There are a lot of destroyed houses and many dead and wounded people in the villages. We do not know yet what has happened with our brothers and sisters. There are 35 baptized members living in the hottest spots in the conflict zone, and about 100 members in the neighborhood of Gori. Before the war broke out, we had started raising money [for a massive new “cathedral” church in Tblisi]. Of course, we have changed our mind and this collection will be used for the refugees. There are many things to be done.”
Gprindashvili said refugees from several areas are coming to the Beteli Center, a new Georgian Baptist benevolent institution in Tblisi. “We will be more than happy if you can contribute something for the benefit of the refugees,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has given $5,000 for relief in Georgia, and the CBF of the American state of Georgia, which has a partnership with the country, has sent $2,000 in relief funds.
The Fellowship contributed to relief efforts through Baptist World Aid, the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, which has also given funds to aid Georgian Baptists.
“All of us feel …devastated,” wrote Songulashvili. “A humanitarian disaster is inevitable. Something has to be done.”
Songulashvili said the most urgent needs are for shelter, food and water, though the need for medical assistance and counseling are also significant. With a cold winter looming, blankets, clothes and fuel for heat will also be needed.
In the United States, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia has had a partnership with the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia since 2006. The partnership has included prayer, dialogue and exchange to promote cultural understanding, and the CBF of Georgia's support of several ministries including a care center for the elderly, an orphanage, a theological school and an organization that supports and ordains women to ministry.
“We need to pray that the war will cease and that the troops will return to Russia. We need to pray that the oil and natural gas lines will be restored in time for the winter. We need to pray for the wounded and the families of those who have died. We need to pray that sufficient aid from governmental and non-governmental sources will arrive in time,” said Frank Broome, coordinator of CBF of Georgia.
First Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., also has connections to the country. For 12 years, the church has been connected with Georgia's Peace Cathedral, the country's first Baptist church. In response to the conflict, First Baptist hosted an Aug. 19 ecumenical and interfaith prayer service that attracted individuals from throughout Columbia, which has a sister city relationship with a city in Georgia.
While prayers for peace and safety continue to be important, the need for physical assistance can't be overlooked, according to John Baker, pastor of First Baptist in Columbia.
“There are 120,000 internally displaced persons [in Georgia],” said Baker, who has traveled to Georgia eight times. “The people need everything. The homes that they had, have been burned and destroyed. It's going to be a longstanding relief effort. This is going to take years for this country and these people to return to a sense of normality.”