Racial Reconciliation Experience

A little over a week ago I attended a Racial Reconciliation Experience as a part of Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention in Cincinnati. It was great to see a group of youth workers interested in stepping into the racial tension in our country and work together to have an impact. The RRE started with a time of instruction together before the convention kicked off. During this time we discussed a common language, defined important terms, and took a look at the history of race in America. 
Following this half day of learning together we broke up into smaller groups to continue the conversation and experience throughout the conference. I was privileged to be a part of the amazing group in this picture. We met several times during the convention and had great conversations, sharing how God was working in our lives relating to issues of racial reconciliation and justice. We discussed our different backgrounds and points of view and left with a greater understanding of and appreciation for each other. 

As I look back on this experience three thoughts stand out to me. 

A view from the National Underground Railroad Freedom
Center looking south across the Ohio River into Kentucky.

1. A group of Christ followers from different cultures and backgrounds gathered together to learn, understand each other, and move forward in unity is a powerful thing. God smiles when his people gather in unity. After all it was Jesus who prayed for unity shortly before his crucifixion. 
John 17:20-23 (NIV) I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Inside the Freedom Center

2. Relationships are vital to understanding people that are different than you. It is easy to misunderstand and even vilify someone from a distance. When you do life with someone and know their heart and who they are it is much easier to work through differences. Our temptation as human beings is to judge people that are different from us from a distance. Being up close and personal will change your perspective. 

3. God wants to use youth ministries and churches to bring people together and heal the hurt and division in our country. God has positioned his church to be the unique organism that brings people that are different together. The unity that Christ brings us as brothers and sisters is unparalleled in the world. However this unity doesn't just happen. It takes intentional leaders teaching and guiding people in how to build bridges of reconciliation. 

The RRE was such and encouragement to me. Thank you Youth Specialties for leveraging who you are to bring people together and move youth ministries of different cultures toward unity in Christ.