February 2016 Monthly Letter

Dear Reconciler Family,

Since February is recognized in America as Black History Month, I thought I would focus on some makers and shakers who used it as an education tool, and how this recognition was developed.

Dr. Carter Goodwin Woodson (1875-1950), is widely regarded as the leading writer on Negro history of his time. A Negro, Woodson devoted his life to bringing the achievements of his race to the world’s attention. His founding of the association of the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 has been called the start of the Negro history movement. The association, directed by Woodson, began publishing the scholarly Journal of Negro History in 1916.

The best known of Woodson’s 16 books is Negro in Our History. Many scholars consider it the finest full-length history of Negroes in America published before the mid-1950’s. Woodson was born in New Canton, Va. His parents were former slaves. Woodson received a Ph.D. degree in history from Harvard University. He won the Spingarn medal in 1926.

Pastor and ORM supporter Neil Earle and I attended a Black History Month event at Fuller Theological Seminary and found it to be very powerful! Presenters shared portions of some of the speeches of Martin Luther King. They were quite impressive. I will share a portion of one of them:

“If any of you are around when I meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school.”

I find these celebrations and presentations to be quite relevant today. And as a Minister of Reconciliation I see the need to close the race gap even though we are in the 21st century. And as we have quoted Edmund Burke  before, “the only thing necessary for the preservation of evil is that good men do nothing.” And as was noted in the messages at Fuller there is a devil who seeks to counter good work that is done.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Ministry of Reconciliation! During these 20 years the Lord has raised up over 20 pastors who have been willing to share this ministry with their congregations and have become Chapter Leaders so as to help advance the ministry. I want to publicly thank them all in this letter for their loyalty, support and dedication to what Jesus is doing to transform lives.

He prayed for his disciples and other followers that they may be one as he and the Father are one. We read in John 17:20-21 “my prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Let’s remember this passage as we launch into another year of following Jesus’s instructions and desire.

Thank you for your loyal support and donations to the Ministry of Reconciliation. We look forward to the next 20 years!

Love and Blessings,