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
Thursday, February 20 * 11:30am - 1:30pm * Restorative Justice Practices * We are honored to have as our guest, Rev. Henry McClendon, who will speak about restorative justice. Rev. McClendon is a pastor of Berean Chapel in Detroit and the Michigan Regional Representative for the International Institute for Restorative Practices. He's brought restorative justice practices to Detroit's public schools, police departments, social services and health agencies, and even in the court system, since 2008. His stated goal is to turn Detroit into a "Restorative City," which for him, "looks like people valuing others regardless of race, age, or economic status. Young people respect senior citizens. Older adults value children as treasures instead of trouble. People looking out for each other." * At First Christian Reformed Church, 651 Franklin SE.. Thursday, March 19 * 11:30am - 1:30pm * March meeting. TBA. Thursday, April 16 * 11:30am - 1:30pm * April meeting. TBA. Thursday, May 21* 11:30am - 1:30pm * May meeting. TBA. Thursday, June 18 * 11:30am - 1:30pm * June meeting. TBA. Contact us if you have an event relating to faith, justice, unity, or reconciliation in Grand Rapids. Help us fill up the calendar! |