May 2015 Monthly Letter

Dear Reconcilers,

The call to action that ORM received after Director Curtis May’s meeting October 6, 2014 with St. Louis’s North County Police Chiefs and their Command staff was the need for more community involvement in reconciliation. Evangelist Vivian Dudley, director of One Church Outreach Ministry, invited Curtis back to help achieve One Church’s primary goal of becoming more reconciled among themselves. Unfortunately, Evangelist Dudley who arranged the meeting was unable to attend due to recent surgery.

On April 10, ORM Curtis May led a seminar titled “Reconciling the Church” from 9 a.m. until noon with lunch and discussion following. It was held next door to Ferguson at Believers Temple Word Fellowship (BTWF) in Dellwood. Though I had hoped to see many attendees for this event, the 20+ participants included leaders of many ministries who were able to engage in a very meaningful roundtable discussion. Curtis May discussed the areas of broken relationships, the cycle of oppression and the road to reconciliation, with special emphasis on police-community relations. After viewing the ORM video “A Time to Reconcile,” Pastor Jose Aguayo facilitated a time in which participants shared what was in their hearts.

In addition to our host, Bishop Calvin Scott of BTWF and on the One Church board, other participants included Pastor Jose Aguayo (director of Dorea Ministries and on the One Church board), Dr. Rance Thomas (director of North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice), Dr. Howard Nelson (president of the Ferguson Ministerial Alliance), Dr. Lynne Jackson (director of the Dred Scott Foundation and great-great granddaughter of Dred Scott), Lakricia Cox (co-chair of the Community Relations focus group for ONE Ferguson), Dr. Anastasia Syes (Christian Coalition of America—Missouri branch), along with several members of New Creation in Christ (NCC) and a few prayer warriors and area pastors.

Howard Nelson wrote, “Good to hear personal stories that I don’t hear that often as a white person. Good video. Good discussion. Well organized. Well worth the time.” Most participants felt the same. NCC pastor Karl Reinagel said, “For me it was good to see these key folks coming together in the same room to share ideas and working together to talk about bridging the racial divide.”

On Saturday, GCI congregation New Creation in Christ invited Curtis and Jannice to a finger food potluck at the church. Drs. Thomas and Syes again joined them for a follow-up discussion led by Curtis May on Ally Building giving helpful specifics on how each person can become equipped and engaged in the ministry of racial reconciliation. Dr. Syes commented, “The two day event was a thought provoking and awesome experience. I pray that it will birth action potential among leaders in the various sectors of the St Louis community.” Amen to that. It is my hope that the seeds that were planted will bear much fruit in the months and years ahead.

After the meeting Curtis and Jannice were able to visit the Dred Scott statue outside the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. Carla Reinagel reflected with sadness that in the Civil War 750,000 Americans died and 150 years later we are still fighting the very same war. Are all men created equal? This question has not been fully answered by more laws and regulations. It is clearly a spiritual issue and everyone must search their heart, intentionally treat their family and neighbors with love and respect, and insist that their community does the same.

Thanks to ORM some of the modern day Christian soldiers are progressing in the goals set out by community leaders and are better equipped to engage the scourge of racism in the St. Louis area.

Grace and peace!

Written by Pastor and ORM Chapter Leader Karl Rienagel