A coalition of pastors from across the denominational, racial, and economic spectrum
​committed to work toward unity, reconciliation, and justice.

​​New on the blog:

G-RAP Continues Conversations with GRPD Chief Eric Payne

Racism is what is breaking our community:
A statement of unity signed by over 160 Grand Rapids-area pastors so far
Go here to add your name to the statement

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

We are not resuming our monthly lunch meetings due to COVID-19. Watch this space for announcements about Zoom meetings. Or connect with us on Facebook. 

Practical Resources

The abilities of non-profits and government organizations in Grand Rapids to provide help are constantly changing, so here are some good resources:

• accesskent.org/health  You can subscribe to Kent County Health Department COVID-19 updates here.
• Food programs:
  • ​Kent County Community Action Distributions 
• 616-632-7228  Kent County Health Department number to call both for information on COVID and if you think you may have it.
• http://accessofwestmichigan.org/congregation-resources/  List of places where people can get food, assistance with rent and utilities, and a good hub for announcements from the bus system, grocery stores with special hours, state programs related to COVID.
• Sign up for the Kent County Essential Needs Task Force emails. They provide up-to-date information on changes in assistance being offered for organizations and for individuals. 
  https://entfkent.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5820f9abad16483df9742fa91&id=dc5a27d704  
• All Belong Center for Inclusive Education has a guideline for making pastoral phone calls that includes modification suggestions for calling those who have intellectual or physical disabilities. They also have resources for helping people with autism through all these changes.

Contact us if you have an event relating to faith, justice, unity, or reconciliation in Grand Rapids. Help us fill up the calendar!

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