Prayer Response to Chauvin Trial Verdict
One verdict in one trial will not be enough to assuage the cries of broken hearts, failed systems, and fearful souls.
Reflections on Jeronimo Yanez and Philando Castile
Today in the Twin Cities a jury determined that Officer Jeronimo Yanez was not culpable in the death of Philando Castile when the officer shot him in the summer of 2016 during a traffic stop. For most of my African-American friends this is a verdict that is consistent with their expectations. It is no surprise. Their grief and pain is […]
A Prophetic Plea for Deep Compassion
The observant person knows there is a great deal of pain across our land. The deaths of a number of African-American men and women at the hands of police officers, regardless of the respective circumstances, have exposed a deep wound within the souls of our African-American friends. It is noteworthy that for many in the African-American community this is not a new wound; just […]
Responding to the Refugee Crisis
The plight of refugees dominates global headlines. The utter chaos within certain corners of the world has forced men and women and boys and girls by the millions to flee, sometimes for their very lives. Of course, while there are refugees on the move all across Earth, the circumstances of those from the Middle East—places like Syria—are especially moving because […]
Change Lives This Thanksgiving!
Imagine with me a neighborhood where 3 out of 4 families live near or below the poverty line. Half of the homes are single-parent homes. Only 24% of students are reading on their grade level or above. Crime and violence are an everyday reality. Imagine driving each day past the boys and girls lined up quietly and fearfully on the corner […]
Dear New Hope Friends . . . .
Dear New Hope Church Friends: My dear Christa and I could not be more excited about joining with you in these days ahead! We have been determined to finish well with our beloved Bethel Church family, but that has not in any way muted our enthusiasm for what lies ahead. As we step through these weeks of transition away from […]
