Description

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Dr. Perkins’ final manifesto on race, faith, and reconciliation.
We are living in historic times. Not since the civil rights movement of the 60's has our country been as vigorously engaged in the reconciliation conversation. There is a great opportunity right now for culture to change, to be a more perfect union. However, it cannot be done without the Church, because the faith of the people is more powerful than any law government can enact.
The church is the heart and moral compass of a nation. To turn a country away from God you must sideline the Church. To turn a nation to God the Church must turn first. Racism won't end in America until the Church is reconciled first and then, and only then, it can spiritually and morally lead the way.
In this his crowning work, Dr. Perkins speaks honestly to the church about the things he’s discovered to be crucial about reconciliation, discipleship, and justice… the principles vital to a complete ministry of reconciliation.”
He offers a call to repentance to both the white church and the black church. He explains how band-aid approaches of the past won't do. And while applauding these starter efforts, he holds that true reconciliation won't happen until we get more intentional and relational. True friendships must happen and on every level. This will take the whole church, not just the pastors and staff.
The racial reconciliation of our churches and nation won't be done with big campaigns or through mass media. It will come one loving, sacrificial relationship at a time. The Gospel and all that it encompasses has always traveled best relationally. We have much to learn from each other and each have unique poverties that can only be filled by one another. The way forward is to become "wounded healers" who bandage each other up as we discover what the family of God really looks like. Real relationships, sacrificial love between actual people, is the way forward. Nothing less will do.

About the Author

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John Perkins is one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the American civil rights movement.  He is also an internationally known author, speaker, and teacher on issues of racial reconciliation and Christian community development.  For his tireless work, he received honorary doctorates from Wheaton College, Gordon College, Huntington College, Geneva College, Spring Arbor University, North Park College, and Belhaven College.  He is the author of several books including A Quiet Revolution, Let Justice Roll Down, With Justice For All, Beyond Charity, He's My Brother, Resurrecting Hope and A Time to Heal.  He has written numerous chapters in other books.  John Perkins formally served on the board of directors of World Vision, Prison Fellowship, National Association of Evangelicals, Spring Arbor University, as well as 15 other boards.  John Perkins and his wife, Vera Mae, live in Mendenhall, Mississippi.