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
** Note that we are not holding our normal lunch meeting on the third Thursday of November. Instead, we are encouraging pastors to attend the pastors' lunch hosted by the city's Census team (contact Kathi Harris at BLAH if you have questions about this) and the Greater Grand Rapids ALPACT meeting that night at Grace. ALPACT stand for Advocates/Leaders for Police & Community Trust. Thursday, November 21, 6:00 - 8:30pm * Greater Grand Rapids ALPACT meeting * "A Community Conversation on the Police Use of Force and How to Prevent its Lawful But Awful Use" * A panel of community leaders and Grand Rapids-area police chiefs and law enforcement officials will discuss a report by the Police Executive Research forum that outlines guiding principles on the use of force. * At Grace Church 100 Buckley SE. Contact us if you have an event relating to faith, justice, unity, or reconciliation in Grand Rapids. Help us fill up the calendar! |