The Christian response to human suffering dates as far back as biblical times when it was written in the book of Proverbs, Chapter 24, Verse 11 to “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

This belief, also based in the teachings of Jesus to do “for the least of these,” has been reflected in centuries of Christian humanitarian relief work for victims of genocide, whether the Armenians in Turkey, the Jews in Poland or the Tutsi in Rwanda. As Christians, we are called to take action when faced with the terrible reality of human suffering, and the genocide in Darfur is no different.

It is my belief in the sacredness of life that makes Darfur a place worthy of our nations’ and the United Nations’ intervention.

As evangelical leaders, we are working as a unified voice to bring attention to these atrocities so that national leaders realize that it’s not too late to stop them. For the hundreds of innocent families and aid workers in Darfur, we ask that you join us in praying that the suffering will end and that our country lead the U.N. Security Council to work with the Sudanese government to deploy U.N. peacekeeping forces.

Although Dec. 10, 2006 was the national day of action and prayer for Darfur, it doesn’t have to stop there. Please take a moment to pray with your congregation, educate yourself about the genocide in Darfur, and inform others who are not aware of this terrible reality so that we may unite in our shared Christian belief to put an end to human suffering for this generation and for future generations.

-Luis Cortés Jr.

Rev. Luis Cortes Jr. is an American Baptist minister, and president of Esperanza -- a network of Hispanic Christians, churches and ministries. He was an initial endorser of Evangelicals for Darfur.