Bishop Derek Grier hosted business, education and media professionals and pastors at Museum of the Bible to begin ‘Let’s Talk’
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2021 – A nationwide effort was launched in the Capitol last night bringing multi-cultural and multi-industry faith leaders together to begin a series of monthly Zoom-based conversations around the topics dividing our nation.
Bishop Derek Grier of Grace Church in northern Virginia hosted the event, DC Talks, at the Museum of the Bible, with participation from leaders such as John Jenkins, National Association of Evangelicals Chairman; Don Kroah, Salem Radio Network host; Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Macedonia International Bible Fellowship Presiding Bishop; and Pastor Dennis Rouse, founding pastor of Victory World Church in Atlanta – the nation’s most diverse congregation.
Bishop Grier believes that engaging in direct conversation with one another – to hear and be heard rather than remaining in our silos – is the remedy to the disease that is racial division.
“Tonight is not designed for us to discuss abstract theological questions about human suffering and human conflict. We’re here to share our personal stories about things that have made us who we are and what life has been like in our particular skins,” Bishop Grier said. “The goal tonight is not to come up with great speeches … we simply want to talk to one another – not past each other, not at each other – but simply share from our hearts the stories that have impacted us and impacted our opinions, our perceptions and the lenses we use to live.”
Those in attendance and others sharing via video each recounted a defining moment that helped frame their racial perspective, with the goal of helping to humanize the various sides of the racial divide to create greater sensitivity and understanding. Black and white leaders both shared stories of desegregation and being bussed to other schools where they were the only one of their color in a classroom and the prejudice they experienced. Others shared how formative it was to see their Black parents told they weren’t allowed to go somewhere or do something because of the color of their skin, and they had to live with it. But they also shared the joys of friendships with people of other colors who showed them that the other was not universally racist.
“We’ve all had glimpses of the pitfalls as well as the possibilities,” said Sam Chand, President Emeritus of Beulah Heights University and CEO of Dream Releasers. “Bigotry and prejudice is the plight of all humanity. It is the notion of superiority of one group over another. It can be couched in politics, religion or other ways. But we are gathered here because we all believe in a better tomorrow.”
Following this initial event, Christian leaders from across the United States will begin joining together for regular monthly Zoom calls starting Tuesday, Dec. 7. These will be hosted by a team of trained facilitators to invite real dialogue, full participation and creative approaches to address the issues. Everyone is encouraged to register to participate in the calls, which they can do at www.letstalklive.org, as well as sign the Statement of Change, which is in part borrowed from the Lausanne Covenant, acknowledging there is a problem and indicating a commitment to help the Church lead the way in finding solutions.
“The goal tonight is to get all of us in the mindset that we are willing to do what it takes to make a difference,” Bishop Grier said. “Are we willing to do the hard work of loving somebody else, of learning from somebody else, of explaining ourselves to somebody else? Most of all, are we willing to do the work of forgiving somebody else? If we are, let’s roll up our sleeves and get busy.”
For more information and to view a recording of the livestream, visit www.letstalklive.org.
About Bishop Derek Grier
Derek Grier currently serves as the founding pastor of Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia, which began in 1998 with 12 people and has today grown to more than 6,000 members. His passion for serving people led him to establish over 50 life-changing ministries within Grace Church. His radio and television programs can be heard and viewed by billions in the United States and around the globe. In 2011, he founded the now fully accredited Virginia Bible College, a world-class Christian learning institute which he currently serves as Chancellor. His latest release, “When God Stops,” was published by Thomas Nelson Publishing in August of 2019. Derek and his wife, Yeromitou, reside in northern Virginia and have two adult sons, Derek Jr. and David.
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