In the Christian tradition today is Pentecost Sunday. It is a day when God made it clear that equality, equity and divine empowerment is available to all. Women, the young, the old, the enslaved–all are invited into God’s life and empowered by God’s Spirit to live into the fullness of the abundant life of Jesus. The unlevel ground of society held captive by the categories of control organized by ethnicity (and race), gender, and economics has been leveled by the outpouring of God’s Spirit. That kind of power can only come from above and is supposed to be the power at work in Christ’s Church.
Nonetheless, I am reminded that on this day in USA history, May 28 of 1830, the Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson forced indigenous people west, out of their sacred homelands, which were subsequently taken by White settlers. President Jackson claimed the Christian faith. Let Pentecost Sunday set the record straight. President Jackson didn’t claim the Christian faith of Pentecost, rather a Euro-centric faith that upheld White superiority.
Pentecost Sunday reminds us that if Christianity doesn’t promote the inclusion, equity, and equality of all peoples from all nations then it is not the Christianity of the Christ.
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 also serves as an adjunct lecturer for William & Mary and has served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where he taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. 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.
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