This is Zoe Church, L.A. We're not just fans, but rather followers of Jesus.

Tune in as Pastor Chad Veach teaches of God's love and how we can live a Zoe life, an abundant life.

I want to read a statement to our community this evening, and this statement is being read this evening at City Church in Seattle, Washington, and in Miami, Florida at Voo Church, kind of us three.

Really, guys that preached at our conference, some of my best friends in the world and in ministry.

And this was drafted together this morning, and it was Rich's idea that Rich texted into the group text and said,

you know, I think we ought to read this statement at all of our church services in all of our cities.

And so I want to read something off the heels of what happened yesterday, which was so evil and so demonic in Charlottesville, Virginia.

And I want to say as the pastor of this church

that we are standing and lifting up our voice and we are declaring for those that can't declare

for themselves, hope and healing and the name of Jesus. Amen? So if it's okay, I'd like to read this.

I think it might come on the screens, but let me just read this statement to you.

Our church is a place where all are welcome and everyone belongs, where every individual has equal

value before God.

This isn't a concept conceived by man, but a mandate from heaven perfectly exemplified in the life of Jesus.

We endeavor to live our lives as such. However, the recent tragic events that have taken

place in Charlottesville, Virginia, serve as further evidence that there are still those who do not

hold that same belief. These are not political acts. These are acts of hatred.

Racism is real. It's a sin and it's not okay. It can be blatant or subtle, sometimes displayed

intentionally, which is diabolical, and sometimes displayed with ignorance, which is inexcusable. We cannot live ignorantly toward racism,

not in our country, not in our cities, not in the workplace, and not in our church community.

Racism is not political. It's spiritual, and our silence is not an option. We've started the

conversation, and it must continue.

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