By The Rev. John C. Welch
Chair, African American Leadership Commission
President, Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

The nation was in turmoil with corruption running throughout.  There was socio-political tension with the religious leaders playing a crucial role in its perpetuation.  Prophets and priests downplayed the severity of the situation because it was to their benefit.

The monarchs, over this period of more than 200 years, 254 to be exact, were leading the people in and out of wars, creating unwise alliances with certain foreign countries, which in the end contributed to the nation’s problems.

The poor were being mistreated and women and children were being put through excruciating ordeals, sacrificing their children at times.

God could not have been pleased, and in fact, God wasn’t pleased.

Through the leadership in succession of 12 kings in Judah’s history, some who led the nation well and some who didn’t, some who led the nation in reform and again, some who didn’t, God put the nation in the hands of Hezekiah, of whom it was said, “he trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.  For he held fast to the Lord, he did not depart from following him.”

The reforms under Hezekiah’s reign were second to none.

And here we are today, through a period of more than 200 years, 233 to be exact, we find ourselves in need of reform.  Through that period of time we live through a Revolution, a Civil War, and six foreign wars.  We lived through slavery, Jim Crow, desegregation, civil rights, voting rights, and affirmative action.  We had 43 presidents, some who led the nation well and some who didn’t, some who led the nation in reform, and again, some who didn’t.

This nation is in turmoil.  There is socio-political tension with religious leaders playing a crucial role in its perpetuation.  Modern day right-winged prophets and priests downplay the severity of the situation because it is to their benefit.  The industries of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and insurance colluding and profiting in this country.  An education system so bad that eight other industrialized nations outperform us.

I said this country is in turmoil.

Immigrants are afraid because of the Gestapo-like tactics of local law enforcement; incarceration rates among African Americans are increasing and we are being polarized in our communities from Latinos by those determined to keep us from coming together as people of brown persuasion.

I do not believe God is pleased by what he sees, and so God has put the nation in the hands of a man of mixed decent so no one can claim full ownership, a man of whom it can be said, trusts in the Lord God, who has held fast to the Lord and has not departed from following him.

It can be said that before him there were none like him and, as far as we know, there may not be another.  Reform is on his agenda:  healthcare, education, immigration and economics.

He is Gamaliel.  He is African American.  He is one of us.  He is the 44th President of the United States of America!

We are African American.  We are Gamaliel.  And we have to seize this opportunity of a lifetime in the lifetime of this opportunity.  How long are we going to use racism as an excuse rather than using it as a catalyst?

When are the clergy going to understand that there is no option for us but to work together?

When are we going to realize that movements grow and victories come by way of coalitions, be it black-white, black-brown, or black-white-brown?

We are prophets, preachers, priests and lay leaders.  We do not speak of false prosperity, but we speak truth to power.

This is our time.  This is our moment.  This is our season.  And, during these two days, let us make sure we leave here informed and equipped, armed and compelled, directed and determined, persistent and powerful, as we begin strategizing on how we are going to help lead the way for the reforms we so desperately need.

We are the African American Leadership Commission of Gamaliel and beside us there is no other!  With God before us, who can be against us?