I’m gonna say this here in case you need to see it. The God of the Christian tradition understood to be the God of heaven and earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob revealed as Jesus of Nazareth, loves you just as you are, not as you think you should be. In a world fraught with a million tensions and traumas, I realize that statements like this sometimes fall short or come off trite.
Still, there is Jesus, the One revealed in the Christian Scriptures. In the midst of all the tensions and traumas of humanity the story reveals One who loves and suffers with us, promising something more to us, something that speaks to what we feel is possible deep in our bones. He promises the transcendent and mysterious—something bigger than what we see and hear and feel. And while we wait for it to be revealed, he promises to make his presence known to all who long for it and anticipates its fulfillment. We are assured that none of us are the sum total of our worst decisions, or even our best decisions. Jesus declares each one of us intrinsically valuable and full of divine dignity, from the top of our head to the soles of our feet. You are loved beyond your feelings of worthiness or unworthiness.
There are many convoluted portrayals of Jesus in the USA. I know, because I’ve contributed to the problem. But there’s always the Jesus revealed in the Christian Scriptures. He’s the One I hope you’ll look at. He’s the One I hope you’ll hear say, “You are my beloved.”
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred serves on the advisory boards of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Bacon Street Youth & Family Services, and FreeKind. He is also a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Through Orange Colored Glasses
My dearest mentor, friend, brother, pastor, activist and example. Read it. You won’t be sorry that you did.
Williamsburg Christian Church's Blog
Get Sunday Wrap-Ups, Insights Along The Way, Practical Ways To Live Missionally, Weekly Updates, & Special Announcements
Long Way Here 
That’s powerful. I need to think this every day, all day. Thank you, Fred.
LikeLiked by 1 person