Learning to Be
COURAGEOUS CHRISTIANS
J
emar Tisby has become a leading voice at the intersection of race, history and religion in American life. His 2019 book, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, landed in bookstores at a moment when many were searching to more fully understand the legacy of white supremacy and racism in America. It became a New York Times bestselling book in which he examines how people of faith, especially white congregations, participate in the ongoing inequities and injustices in society. His searing indictment is matched by his deep commitment to transformation and racial justice solutions that inspire action. His second book, How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice, speaks to that commitment by offering a range of steps and actions that people of
By Scott Hudgins Director of Helping Pastors Thrive
faith may take to confront racism in our communities, our churches and in our own lives. CBF North Carolina’s Racial Equity and Justice Team seeks to provide congregations helpful, practical resources to engage in the work of racial justice. The team sponsors educational events, such as the Jemar Tisby workshop, throughout the year to help churches build awareness of racism and its dehumanizing effects. A goal of the REJ Team is to bring individuals and churches together to learn from each other. In bringing people together, the team seeks to create a place where courageous Christianity is nurtured and together we are inspired and motivated to confront and address racism and white supremacy in our communities, our churches and our nation.
God’s Plan By Kim Wyatt CBF Field Personnel and Co-Founder of Welcome House
I
want to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with all the ESL students I teach. The problem is, they can’t fully understand the language required. So, I remain hopeful and patient. It may take many months—even years—to equip them with enough English to share the Gospel using words. It may take that and more to gain the trust necessary to share such world-changing good news. And so, I pray for my students, especially for the one student who among many will one day be prompted by the Holy Spirit to say, “yes” to Jesus. Because of the pandemic, we were forced to close our face-toface ESL classes last year. Instead, we transitioned to phone and computer platforms. This change has been very well-received. We went from 10 face-to-face classes weekly to 35 virtual ones! Our student numbers and teacher volunteers have also increased. Because the classes are online, they can be held at a time that works best for both teachers and students. In the same way, students and teachers may live practically anywhere. We serve students across North Carolina. Teachers are volunteering from as far away as Asheville, New York and even central California. One of the remote ESL teacher volunteers is a Christian married to an Afghan pastor. She speaks the dialects of Afghanistan. I am so happy that she has joined our ministry. Recently, two of the Afghan ESL students I teach shared with me that they were leaving Raleigh. They are both moving to—wait for
Kim Wyatt teaching ESL classes to immigrants online.
it—central California! That’s right! Both moms are packing up their families and moving to the same city as my new ESL Teacher. The class is a bit sad that these special friends are moving to the other side of the country. But everyone is happy that they are moving close to their new ESL teacher and American friend that just so happens to speak their language and lives in California; it’s all God’s plan. I must admit I didn’t consider this kind of answer to my prayers. God is so good! Summer 2021 | 7
