On Friday, June 5, 2020, the BBFI Communication Office hosted, to date, the largest online gathering of BBFI pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders. The topic of the webinar was racial tension and the church. The webinar’s two primary goals were to bring biblical principles into the conversation and help pastors and ministry leaders know better how to respond and how to lead.
The webinar was hosted by Randy Harp, BBFI Communication Director, and included guests from all across the country, each speaking on various aspects of the topic. Those that spoke were Sean Sears, pastor of Grace Church in Avon, MA, Randy Adams, pastor of Crossroads Church in Cresson, TX, Jerel Bland, pastor of The Hope Church in Detroit, MI, John Stroup, founder and president of Freeway Ministries headquartered in Springfield, MO, Jeff Stinson, president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Orlando, FL, Russell Johnson, pastor of Global Church in Miami, FL, and Charles Lyons, former pastor of Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.
Sears shared a biblical perspective on racism and how it has impacted the BBFI. Adams shared from a personal perspective being African American in the BBFI. Bland emphasized our enemy is not one another. It is not black or white or rich or poor, but rather, our enemy is the devil, and he doesn’t want us working together. Bland stated, “Blacks don’t want a seat at the table. We want to build the table together.” Stroup shared his testimony of a broken man finding salvation in jail. He challenged everyone to meet the need to reach the marginalized in every community. Stinson shared from a police officer’s perspective and gave practical ideas on how churches can work with the police. Johnson moved the conversation very personal. He challenged every pastor, “You are never going to get your church to go somewhere you haven’t been.” Lyons wrapped up the webinar with an emotional message on the topic of lament.
You can watch a replay of the webinar below. You can also watch the video and other BBFI videos on the BBFI Vimeo page by clicking here.