Thomas Hoyt
President, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
Bio and press contact: see below.

Greetings on behalf of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican member churches. This translates to almost 50 million Christians in 100,000 congregations throughout the nation. We celebrate the oneness we experience with our sisters and brothers throughout the world.

Thanks for extending words of Shalom on our behalf as we all pray for and work for the coming of God's peace, with justice. We believe that there is no peace without justice. We will also work in the spirit of Christ, knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We celebrate the God who liberates and reconciles.

Its good to know that you are coming to this context as we begin to work for the Decade to Overcome Violence. We do so with hope, in the midst of a world of strife, we need the hope that only God can give.

With that faith, in the God who loves us and the one who gave God's life through Christ for us, we are celebrating the quest for the peace of God as we recognize the presence and participation of peace in our midst and appreciate the value that you will bring to us.

For that we thank you.

Message delivered on 21 September, 2004, to mark the observance of the International Day of Prayer for Peace.

Biographical summary

As president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in USA (NCCCUSA), Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. insists that the NCC should be at the cutting edge of the fight against poverty, racism and gender inequality. The former presiding bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church supports the NCCCUSA's environmental efforts as well as its work for better Christian-Muslim understanding. A former teacher and theological education scholar, Hoyt's role at the NCCCUSA places him in a "national classroom" that debates issues of peace, justice and unity.

Media contact: +1-212-870-2252 news@ncccusa.orgç


Last edited on September 19, 2004 by Juan Michel / WCC