STATEMENTS FROM:  Michael Tait  //  Nicole C. Mullen  //  Jason Crabb  //  Blanca  //  Tedashii
Erica Campbell  //  Tyrus Morgan  //  Bishop J. Maynard  //  SADA K  //  Rev. Stephen Handy  //  FLAME

Michael Tait, Newsboys, Charlesston, shooting - image MICHAEL TAIT // Newsboys  |  I’ve said it before and I must say it again, COLORS DON’T HATE BUT PEOPLE DO, and there is an obvious reason why. Since the fall of man, we are born and shaped in sin, and that sin controls us until we lay down our lives and give up the rights to ourselves to become new creations in Christ with renewed minds! This sinful, vicious and most violent act in Charleston, South Carolina, is proof the world needs Jesus now more than ever. We are entering the last days, believers, so we have to be about the business of souls. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives (Proverbs 11:30). It’s the wisest thing we can do!  IT’S OUR ONLY HOPE.”

More on Michael Tait:  newsboys.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Nicole C. Mullen, Charleston, shooting - image
NICOLE C. MULLEN  |
  “I strongly believe that in the midst of such a racially charged society, we as Believers have got to come together, take the lead and represent the Kingdom of God. It is by the LOVE and forgiveness we show across color, culture and denominational lines, that we prove that although we are in this world, we are not of it. We are disciples of Jesus Christ.”

More on Nicole C. Mullen:  nicolecmullen.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  


Jason Crabb, Charleston, shooting - image JASON CRABB  |  “I am deeply, deeply hurting for those affected by the tragedy at Emanuel A.M.E. church and the city of Charleston, SC. Going to church, you never expect this kind of thing to happen. You think of church as one of the safest places to be. In a split second, someone’s anger changed that. Lord, help us. My prayers, love and condolences go to the families, church and the city of Charleston. I pray that the love of Jesus brings comfort as only He can.”

More on Jason Crabb:  jasoncrabb.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Blanca, Charleston, shooting - image BLANCA // (Formerly of Group 1 Crew)  |  “I’m deeply saddened by the horrific news of the Charleston shooting. My heart goes out to all the families involved. I find myself feeling fearful at the thought of raising my son in such a chaotic time, but I believe that now is no time for fear nor standing back but more than ever, a time for the body of Christ to come together in prayer asking the Lord to be a light in this darkness and to heal our nation. I Have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world! John 16:33.”

More on Blanca:  officialblanca.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Tedashii, Charleston, shooting - image TEDASHII  |  ”This tragedy is heartbreaking. I can not imagine the pain of the family members and friends who have suffered such great loss after this senseless act of violence. I believe this shameful act of hate has deep roots in the fabric of our nation and to ignore this truth would be misguided and irresponsible. Based on some of the responses to the Charleston shooting it seems that we, as a nation, in the name of progress have moved on instead of forward. The two are not the same. As a person of faith I would hope that a recipient of grace would not ask someone to move on from this real and present issue, while they themselves refuse to do the same.”

More on Tedashii:  tedashii.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Erica Campbell, Charleston, shooting - image
ERICA CAMPBELL // (Formerly of Mary Mary)  | 
”We don’t know why things like this happen but God can mend our broken hearts and help us through our dark days.”
#PrayforCharleston

More on Erica Campbell:  web  //  facebook  //  twitter


Tyrus Morgan, Charleston, shooting - image
TYRUS MORGAN  | 
“I pray that as believers we place our loyalty in the uniting blood of Christ, not the divisive lies the enemy uses to separate us based on color, background or any other earthly thing.”

More on Tyrus Morgan:  tyrusmorgan.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Bishop Jerry L. Maynard, Charleston, shooting - image BISHOP JERRY L. MAYNARD  |  “Our society is facing some of the darkest days socially in our recent history. The murders in South Carolina depict to some extent, the racist attitudes that have been dormant. If we, this nation under God, will not return to our “core values,” “core beliefs,” and “core competencies,” we will have ongoing killings and social unrest.

2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land. America, we need God and God needs us!”

Bishop Maynard’s pastoral ministry began when he was 21. He has served not only the church, but his communities at large as well. A native of Indiana, served as Director of the Muncie Indiana Human Rights Commission from 1967-1970, a member of the Indiana and United States Civil Rights Commission from 1970-1981, and the President’s Domestic Policy Committee from 1977-1983 (under President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald W. Reagan.) He is the recipient of the highest civilian award of the state of Indiana, “Sagamore of the Wabash.” He also travels the country teaching Dynamics on Civil and Human Rights.


SADA K, Charleston, shooting - image SADA K // (Formerly of Press Play)  |  “My heart & prayers go out to the victims families, the survivors and all those hurting regarding the Charleston shooting. It breaks my heart that a church, with so much history attached to the freedoms of African-American’s to worship God in peace, will now have this tragic event attached to its legacy. We have to remember that we cannot be …overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, Romans 12:21.

I pray that the peace that passes all understanding will flood Charleston and America and allow us to walk by faith and not by sight in unity. Jesus said in John 16:33, In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. I pray that all of those that have felt crushed by this tragic event can Trust in the LORD with all of you heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, Proverbs 3:5.”

More on SADA K:  sadakmusic.com  //  facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram


Stephen Handy, Charleston, McKendree, Nashville - image REV. STEPHEN HANDY  |  The Bible teaches us that all humanity is made in the image of God and considered of sacred worth. One problem with humanity, we think we get to judge the worth of people.

Emanuel A.M.E church is known as Mother Emanuel, its name offers some insight into what happened at the church. Emanuel means God with us. What if God were there, why didn’t God stop it?

The mass murder was not a surprise to God. As Christians, we are called to respond gracefully and not react violently. First, we respond out of love and then we forgive. When we love and forgive, the healing of the heart starts. By the way, the shooter was made in the image of God and needs to be restored with the love and hope that comes through Jesus Christ.

Pray that the community of Mother Emanuel can mourn, grieve, pray and expect hope to be restored. When these unexplainable actions happen, I turn to Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 

Let’s join together in times like these and do no harm, do good and stay in love with God!”

Rev. Handy is the Senior Pastor at McKendree United Methodist in downtown Nashville, TN. One of the oldest UMC congregations in the nation, Pastor Handy is the church’s first ever African-American minister (appointed 2008). In addition to Sunday’s at McKendree, you can hear Rev. Handy speak at events and conferences across the nation year-round.


FLAME, Charleston, shooting - image FLAME  |  “I’m deeply saddened by the church shooting in Charleston. We are sincerely praying for the families and congregation. I believe racial violence is ultimately an attack on the image of God. The Bible tells us there is an opposing force, namely Satan, who seeks to kill and destroy. We must fight for human dignity and the sanctity of life. We must oppose those who thrive after the Satanic agenda of racism (or any hate crime for that matter) via legal policies and Gospel efforts of diverse kinds. Events like these should motivate us even more towards the spreading of the Gospel. The Gospel provides the only hope for true change and setting people free from their mental chains. We will never understand violence of this kind unless we acknowledge the reality of God, and the enemy of God who will use anything as a means to destroy God’s image that is marked on humanity.”

A GRAMMY®, Dove and Stellar Award nominee, FLAME has been a leader in the Christian rap/hop-hop scene for more than a decade. He holds a degree in Biblical Counseling and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from Southern Seminary.


Chris Tomlin, KB, Jason Crabb, CCM Magazine, Hillsong United - image

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