b"CHURCH NEWS COMMUNITYOne Accord. OneMike Johnston Wasn't The OnlyMission. One Purpose.Winner in The Denver Mayor's Race,John Bailey Becomes TheWordbecamefleshand made his dwelling among us. Unquestioned Leader inJohn 1:14By Mary Tellis buzzwordDenver's Black CommunityC ollaborationisadiscussed thatisregularly in organizations but not as often inlocalchurches.However,By Maya Wheeler, MBA, MHA, MAcollaborationisacriticalele-mentinboostingandimprov-ingfellowship,relationships,I ntheannalsofColorado'srich and friendships. The Greek wordhistory,numerousinfluential Koinonia (translated as fellow- Black leaders have left an indelible ship) captures the experience ofmark on their communities and the 5localchurchesintheDenverstate as a whole. While figures like area who recently came togetherMary Tellis MayorMichaelHancockandthe tohostandshepherdVacationesteemedHon.WellingtonWebb BibleSchoolinFredThomasenterintoatraditionalChurchare well-known pillars of Colorado Park. Reverend Debbie Osborne,setting.Thesinging,clapping,politics,itisimperativethatwe leadcoordinatorfromIssuesoflaughing, and aroma of deliciousrecognize the remarkable contribu-Life Church, led each day of themealswerethehookforotherstions of another exceptional leader, 2-day VBS with excellence, integ- in the park to stop and inquire,John Bailey. With the recent elec-rity, and love. whichallowedustoextendthetion of Mike Johnston as Denver's PastorLoukishaMarbleyLordswordbeyondtheattend- 46th Mayor, Bailey's prominence in Lewis, Faith Temple Communityees.the city has soared to new heights.Church,PastorsCarlaandThe Koinonia vision of the fiveBailey,asthefirstAfricanMaya WheelerBrentCoburn,FreshWindchurches was an opportunity toAmericantopubliclyendorse International,Pastor Louis Ray,share the Gospel by demonstrat- Johnston,assumedtheroleof NewCreation,PastorCharleneingloveandofferingabeaconSeniorAdvisorandplayedapiv- Aswereflectontheprofound Wisher-Howard,IssuesofLife,ofhope;wecollectivelyofferedotalroleintheMayor'scitywideimpact of Black leaders in shaping andPastorsJohnandMaryprayerandspokewordsofrun-offvictory,particularlyintheColorado'shistory,itisessential Tellis,SolomonTemple,joinedencouragementintoeachotherNortheastarea.Johnstonhimselfthatwecelebrateindividualslike together in Christian communityand the broader community. openlyacknowledgesthedebtofJohnBailey.Theirtirelessefforts toglorifyGodfor45kidsandgratitudeowedtoBaileyforhisto create positive change and pave theirfamiliesinthelocalcom- The result of five churches fromcrucialparticipationandinfluen- thewayforfuturegenerations munity.different denominations standingtial sway. Moreover, Bailey's signifi- deserveourutmostrecognition. Koinoniawastheconnectorinsolidaritywastremendous.canceextendsbeyondthisrecentThey remind us that progress is not that drew the churches togetherTheimpactofbeingunitedintriumph,ashehasbeenakeyachievedinisolation,butthrough to serve on one accord, to be thecommunityismoreimpactfulfigure in the election campaigns ofcollectiveactionandunwavering handsandfeetofChristinanthansilosandthisyearsVBSbothWebbandHancock,earningdetermination.environmentwithoutwalls.Thewasonlythebeginning.Staya reputation as the go-to person in mission was to partner together,tunedformorejointcollabora- Denver's Black political sphere. Letushonorandamplifythe collectivelystudytheWordoftions among these churches. YouJohn Bailey is not merely a politi- voicesofleaderslikeJohnBailey, God, show unity in the Body ofmay contact either Church to getcal force; he epitomizes the strengthwhohavededicatedtheirlivesto Christ,andextendawelcom- connected. ofcommunityleadership.Servingempoweringmarginalizedcommu-ing hand to people who may notOne Lord, one faith, one bap- astheDirectoroftheColoradonities and fostering a more inclusive tism.Ephesians 4:5 Black Round Table, Founder of theand equitable society. By doing so, BlackCannabisEquityInitiative,we can continue to build upon the FounderoftheBlackEconomicfoundations laid by these trailblaz-Opportunities Council, and Directorers and forge a future that embraces oftheJointEffortCommunitydiversity, justice, and equal oppor-Sports Program, Bailey's multifacet- tunity for all.ed impact is undeniable. A success-fulbusinessman,astutepolitical consultant,devotedyouthsports coach, and inspiring role model, he Maya Wheeler is the Executive has dedicated his life to empoweringDirectoroftheWezeshaDada Black youth and fostering the devel- Center (WDC), a nonprofit organi-opment of our communities. zation dedicated to empowering It is important to acknowledge thewomen and girls to be catalysts challenges that Bailey has confront- for building resilient families and edthroughouthiscareer,includ- communities. Through the WDC, ing the recent loss of his wife, theMayabringstogetherdiverse esteemed Dr. Sharon Bailey, a for- groupsofwomenandgirls, mer Denver School Board Memberprovidingthemwithcompre-andsocialequityexpert.Despitehensive assistance, unwavering thesepersonalhardships,Baileysupport,andvaluableresourc-remains unwavering in his commit- estostartbusinesses,achieve menttoupliftingthecommunityfinancialindependence,and andinspiringotherstofollowinenhance their overall well-being. hisfootsteps.HisresilienceandWith a steadfast commitment to unwaveringdedicationserveasaequalityandsocialempower-beacon of hope, illuminating a pathment,Mayaactivelyadvocates towardsabrighterfutureforallforinclusiverightsandamore Coloradans. equitable society.10 JULY 2023 BOCNEWS.com"