Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 245 AUGUST 2016 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Racial Reconciliation “Against the rising spirit of Indifference, Alienation, and Hostility in our land, we will embrace the Supremacy of God's love to take new steps personally and corpo- rately toward Racial reconciliation, expressed visibly in our community and in our church.” Al R. combs, — John Piper “He has made from ONE BLOOD EVERY Nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has deter- mined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, …” — The Apostle Paul (Acts 17:26) May 14th of this year, the Lord directed us to host a Conference to explore answers/solutions to the racial divide that continues in OUR City/State/Nation. We had represen- tatives/participants from the: Native AMERICAN, European AMERICAN, African AMERICAN and Spanish/ Latino AMERICAN Communities. The goal was to get EVERY Ethnic group in OUR Community to join in the Conversation, and, hopefully commit/ pledge to take inten- tional steps toward Racial Reconciliation. Below are a few excerpts from the Conference: Color and Ethnicity have their place, but not as the MAIN GLORY and WONDER of our identity as HUMAN BEINGS. The PRIMARY GLORY of who we are is what UNITES us in our GOD-LIKE HUMANITY, not what “Differentiates” us in our Ethnicity. Therefore, against the rising spir- it of Indifference, Alienation, and Hostility in our land, “WE” will embrace the SUPREMACY of God's LOVE. WE MUST take new steps person- ally and corporately toward Racial Reconciliation, expressed visibly in our Community and in our Church. ■ ■ Let us banish every Belittling and Unloving Thoughts from our Minds. ■ ■ Let us put every word or tone of Ridicule or Disdain out of our Mouths. ■ ■ Let us go out of our way to show Personal, Affectionate and Oneness with Peoples of all Ethnic Backgrounds. ■ ■ Let us be Intentional: the “SALT” and the “LIGHT” of our Hostile and Fearful Society with cou- rageous acts of Inter-Ethnical Kindness and Respect. ■ ■ Let us look to Christ and be - Forgiven, Cleansed, Healed and Empowered to LOVE! WHY????? BECAUSE RACIAL RECONCILIATION IS UP TO US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Racial Reconciliation Manifesto Challenged by the reality of our racial division, we have been drawn by the Holy Spirit to Aurora, Colorado, May 14, in the year of our Lord, 2016 in order to support the “Great Commission” and to devel- op together "A Racial Reconciliation Strategy for 21st Century.” We desire to covenant together with oth- ers of like minds in the ongoing task of racial reconciliation by committing ourselves to the following agenda: I. I pledge in concert with my brothers and sisters of many hues to oppose racism in all its various manifestations within and without the Body of Christ and to be vigilant in the struggle with all my God-given might. II. I personally commit to treat my fellow brothers and sisters who are not of my race or ethnicity, regard- less of color, with love and respect as my sisters and brothers in the human family. III. I admit that there is no single solution to racism in our society. However, I pray and am open to tough love and radical repentance with deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as my Liberator. IV. With complete boldness and cou- rageous honesty, I mutually confess that racism is sin and as a blight in our society must be condemned. V. I commit myself not only to pray but also to work for genu- ine and visible mani- festations of racial unity. VI. Lastly, I here- by commit myself not only to the task of denouncing rac- ism in word and creed, but also to live by action and deed. VII. I commit myself to leaving my comfort zones, respecting the full humanity of all, live with an open- ness to authentic liberation which is a product of Divine Creation, until the shackles fall and all bondage ceases. This Conference was not simply a “Photo Op” or “Media Event,” but rath- er a journey toward Reconciliation of the various Ethnic groups. ‘Cause,’ God “has made from ONE BLOOD EVERY Nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” A Time for Everything “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to HEAL, a time to tear down and a time to BUILD, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to MEND, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to LOVE and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for PEACE.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8New International Version (NIV) My Fellow Homosapiens, NOW is the time “to HEAL,” “to Build,” “to MEND,” “to LOVE” and a “time of PEACE.” Jehovah-SHALOM By Pastor Al R. Combs, CCAI RACE IN AMERICA Al R. Combs