Thinking of Jesus’ closest followers they would have been hard to describe as a community. The social descriptions available to first-century Palestine didn’t have a clear category for them. They were not only the destitute or only the rich, among them were both. They were not only male or only female, among them were both. They were not only the out-crowd or only the in-crowd, among them were both. We read of the inclusion of the working class and the upper class (Mk. 1:16-20; John 19:38); of a military leader and a synagogue ruler (Mt. 8:5-13, Lk. 7:1-10; Mk. 5:21-24, 35-43); of the religious and political elite to the religiously and politically left-out (Lk. 8:1-3; 19:7; Mk. 15:42-43; Jn. 19:39).
God’s hospitality and abundance at work among them created a common life between them that opened up new possibilities. You see this in the system of economics at work in the community of Jesus. It appears as nonsensical as it does paradoxical. Although the larger community of followers consisted of a variety of social descriptions and classes, it all began with the twelve disciples. They walked away from economic security in the form of jobs and ready-accessible possessions to discover the way of God’s abundance in the form of material hospitality.
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.
Through Orange Colored Glasses
My dearest mentor, friend, brother, pastor, activist and example. Read it. You won’t be sorry that you did.
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