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5NOVEMBER 2015BODY OF CHRIST NEWS New Converge Director of Diversity In July Dr. Robin Holland was appointed Director of Diversity a new position created by Converge President Scott Ridout. Dr Holland is the Senior Pastor of Living Hope Baptist in Aurora CO. He and his wife Nita have been married thirty- seven years and have two daughters two grandchildren and an adopted son from Zimbabwe Africa. Dr. Holland has been recognized for his life of ministry which includes multiple trips to Haiti South Africa Zimbabwe Grenada and the Ukraine. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after twenty-five years of service and among other influential leadership roles has served as Police Chaplain and Chief of Chaplains for Auroras Police Department. He was a first responder to the theater shootings in 2012. While serving as Co-Chairman of the Colorado Coalition of Faith the Coalition partnered with the mul- tiple response organizations in 2005 to support 10000 Katrina survivors needing shelter and care. Like many of us he has prayerfully watched events around the country that involve racial conflict and has written about a godly prayer-fueled loving response rather than reac- tion to the events of our day. Dr. Holland retold this recent story The news media released a photo of a crying young boy hugging a motorcycle police officer pictured below. The officer had asked the boy why he was crying and he said Because Im afraid of you. The office replied I see a sign that says free hugs. Can I have one And the officer hugged him. Saints Dr. Holland said that is where it starts. God has taught us that the color of our soul is no color and He is coming back for our souls. Racial reconciliation is likely to be a defining theme of President Ridouts legacy for Converge. In January at Transform 2015 the annual gathering for leaders and pastors Ridout closed the confer- ence with an apology to churches of different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. He acknowledged they have not always been treated fairly in the market place and community. To my brothers and sisters of color black brown or yellow Im sorry. We will figure this out. I have no idea what that means but it will be a long and hard road. We need each other. We cant have any walls between us. Lean on me Ill lean on you and we will all lean on Jesus Christ. Reproduced from Converge Point Spring 2015 by permission. In April Ridout released the job description for Director of Diversity a part time position to facilitate Body of Christ News Dr. Robin Holland Most pastors in our area are completely unaware of racial discrimination right in our own communities COMMUNITY