From Pastor George Hart:

June 22nd, 2007

Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth visited Christ Community Church on Sunday and then we had him over to our home afterwards for a reception. Really a wonderful and inspiring occasion as he recounted a number of stories (testimonies) of how God spared him through bombings, beatings, jailings (38 times), etc. I think I was most impressed with the depth of his faith and Christ centeredness. You can see that his passion for justice and civil rights flows out of and is an extension of his relationship with Christ. Really a humble man that God has used in a powerful way, and he continually gives any glory to God. He was only able to do what he did because he knew it was what God called him to do and God was with him whether he survived any particular event or had died. As he said, when “Mr. God” calls you, you go.

I saw in him and heard in his message a “spirit” which is absent from the Civil Rights Movement today. He was very clear, that in his mind, the movement is different today. I believe what has been lost is a humility and total dependence upon Christ. Civil rights leaders today have politics, the law, media, etc. on their side to open doors and there may be less of a “need” for Christ to open doors. All they had back then was Christ and his full assurance that all men had been created to be free.

I realized this Sunday, in a profound way, that God has called certain people, and all of us in one way or the other, to lay down our lives for others. Just as Jesus laid down his life for us that we may be reconciled to God, God calls men and women to lay down their lives for the reconciliation of man to man. Someone “had” to be bruised, broken and bled for healing and reconciliation to come. Rev. Shuttlesworth jokingly said that God gave him a hard head to endure the beatings. I think that is the “spirit” that is missing today. Really it is the Spirit of Christ.

Really great to see how the young people were just drawn to him and his message. Several wanted to get their pictures taken with him. Quite a celebrity with the youth, but I think they were drawn to his grace and genuineness.

He didn’t leave our home until after 4:30pm. Truly a “red letter” day.

George Hart

Christ Community Church

Cincinnati, OH
Office Phone: 513-231-6104

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Reconciliation Service: “Let the Walls Fall Down”

June 10th, 2007

Focusing on the theme “Let the Walls Fall Down,” two very different churches met in a blocked off street in Tipp City, Ohio, on Sunday, June 10, 2007, for a special Reconciliation Service. The two churches, CrossRoads Christian Fellowship, a predominately white congregation, and the Temple of Praise, a predominately black congregation, met together and praised God in both words and songs. The two churches are located within walking distance of each other.

God’s Spirit was evident as the Pastor of CrossRoads, James L. Valekis, and the Pastor of Temple of Praise, Roy Pirtle, shared equally in the service. It was demonstrated that when praises go up, blessings come down as we were joined by people from the neighborhood, some of whom expressed a desire to become members of CrossRoads. CrossRoads has held a Reconciliation Service annually for the last six years, but this is the first service shared with another church and to quote Pastor Pirtle’s wife, Marjorie, “We don’t want to wait another year to get together again.” The same sentiments were voiced by lay members as well.

A very fitting message was given by keynote speaker, Assistant Pastor of CrossRoads, Gary Weldon, titled “That They May be One.”

Both churches provided and shared a delicious three-course meal. Tipp City Mayor, George Lovett, was a special guest. The service concluded with the taking of communion.

This year’s service was especially meaningful to coordinator Levada Bibbs who spearheaded a seven-week program in 2006 in an effort to bring strangers together for dialogue and meals. The program was titled “A Time to Reconcile,” and had minimal success. The seven-week program culminated with a special Reconciliation Service titled “Reconciliation Is Everybody’s Job.”

We thank and praise God for the partnership that we enjoy through Jesus Christ in fulfilling our Ministry of Reconciliation. The June 10th service was a giant step in the right direction and we pray that it will inspire future dialogue.

Written by Levada Bibbs

Coordinator of Reconciliation Ministry

at CrossRoads Christian Fellowship

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    • 02/04/12 Curtis May in Glendora, CA at New Covenant Fellowship
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