A coalition of pastors from across the denominational, racial, and economic spectrum
committed to work toward unity, reconciliation, and justice.
committed to work toward unity, reconciliation, and justice.
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God is doing a new thing!
The Grand Rapids Association of Pastors (G-RAP) came together in frustration, and were united through grief. In January, 2015, in frustration over the adversarial relationship between police and the African-American community, a group of Grand Rapids pastors met to discuss what they could do. This meeting attracted leaders across the denominational, racial, and economic spectrum. We committed to work towards justice, unity, and reconciliation in Grand Rapids. But the first step was to get out of our known circle of pastoral relationships: to get to know each other. This getting to know each other stage deepened after the murder of nine people at a prayer meeting at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. We came around the local AME churches and gathered in prayer and support. African-American pastors trusted the group enough to share their fears and vulnerabilities. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19). G-RAP is continuing to commit to God’s new thing by uniting our voices, reconciling across dividing lines, and working together for God’s justice. We have seen the fruits of this new thing in the diverse spectrum of supporters spanning race and class lines and in the willingness of the new police chief to listen to and work with pastors. We are continuing to work out God’s call to us, seeking ever more practical ways to come together and to work for God’s justice in our community. Any Christian pastor committed to work towards the goals of unity, reconciliation, and justice is welcome to join this new thing that God is doing. It is springing up – may we all soon perceive it together. |
Upcoming Events
PRAYER WALK: Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00pm, Pastor James Jones hosts a prayer walk in the SE-side neighborhood surrounding Oakdale Park Church. Meet at the church, 961 Temple St SE. OPEN FOR PRAYER: Brown Hutcherson Ministries will be open all day for prayer every Wednesday this summer. 618 Jefferson Ave SE. COMMUNITY-WIDE PRAYER: Churches in Grand Rapids are opening for midday and evening prayer so we can come together as a community against the violence occurring across the city. Here is the schedule: Monday, July 1: Brown Hutcherson Ministries (618 Jefferson SE) will be open all day from 10:00am - 6:00pm; corporate prayer at noon and at 6:00pm. Tuesday, July 2: St. Mark's Episcopal Church (134 N. Division) will hold prayer from 12pm - 1pm. Tuesday, July 2: First Community AME (500 James SE) will hold prayer from 6pm - 7pm. Wednesday, July 3: Eastminster Presbyterian (1700 Woodward SE) will hold prayer from 11am - 12pm. Wednesday, July 3: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church (510 Franklin SE) will hold prayer from 6pm - 7pm. Saturday, July 6: LifeQuest Ministries (1050 Fisk SE) will hold prayer at 8am. Saturday, July 6: Martin Luther King Park (900 Fuller SE) at noon, G-RAP and all hosting churches will host prayer in the park. (In case of rain, Oakdale Park Church, 961 Temple SE and Brookside Christian Reformed, 3600 Kalamazoo SE will be open for prayer.) Select the dates and times that work best for your schedule. Please share with your social media networks, friends, and neighbors. Let's show up and pray for our community's safety. Thank you to Pastor Nathaniel Moody, Father Christian Brocato, Dr. Willie Gholston II, Pastor Deborah McCreary, Dr. Timothy Harris, and Pastor Jerry Bishop for leading us in prayer this week. ** G-RAP is on summer hiatus. We will return to our regular monthly meetings in September. But we will still post events on our calendar and our Facebook page, so let us know what your church or organization has going on!** Contact us if you have an event relating to faith, justice, unity, or reconciliation in Grand Rapids. Help us fill up the calendar! |