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
Monday, May 20, 9:30am * CCDA in Grand Rapids * Meet Ava Steaffens, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association. Learn about human trafficking in our community and the hope for transformation, with Rachel VerWys, Co-Connector for CCDA Greater Grand Rapids Network. * At 2009 Division Ave S. Follow this link to register. Wednesday, May 29 * 9:30am - 4:00pm * Citizens for Prison Reform Legislative Action Day * Making Family Inclusion a Priority. * Go here for more details. Event takes place in Lansing. Thursday, May 30, 7:00 - 8:30pm * A Conversation with Ernesto Cortes, Jr. on “Faith, Families, and Making Democracy Work” * Ernesto Cortés, Jr. is the co-director of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which provides leadership training and civics education to poor and moderate-income people across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Cortés has been instrumental in the building of over 30 broad-based organizations whose hallmark is the development and training of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He is the executive director of the 30 organizations of the West / Southwest IAF. Contact Leslie Redman at New Life Church of God in Christ 616-247-0250 with any questions. * At St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 250 Brown Street SE. Contact us if you have an event relating to faith, justice, unity, or reconciliation in Grand Rapids. Help us fill up the calendar! |