Becoming the Bridge (Part 1)

"I can't breathe." "Mama." "Please." 

On May 25th, Minneapolis police officers arrested George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, after a deli employee called 911, accusing him of buying cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. Seventeen minutes after the first squad car arrived at the scene, Mr. Floyd was unconscious and pinned beneath three police officers, showing no signs of life. The Medical Examiner has concluded that his death was a homicide. 

George Floyd's death has become the catalyst for a long-overdue global display of solidarity. Over the weekend, demonstrators gathered in London, Berlin, and Auckland, among other cities, to protest against police brutality in solidarity with the US crowds. 

"Silence is agreement."

"I need you to publicly say this is wrong because this is not just about race. This is about justice. And the entire Bible is about justice."

Six days later on Sunday, May 31st, Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina sat down for a conversation with Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina. Pastor Steven is Caucasian and Pastor John is African American. In this interview Pastor, Steven and Pastor John share some of the same themes we’ve been talking about on this show. We’ve discussed the need for diversity among blacks and whites. We champion diversity among all people including all the foreign-born individuals living in our community. This episode presents Part 1 of their conversation.

"I don't want special treatment.  I want equal treatment."

Pastor John's mother was always the person to build bridges and she always brought hope home. And she taught Pastor John to be the same. His mother also taught him to see people through the lens of grace. This is why he extends that same grace that he wants people to have towards him. I encourage you to lean in as they affirm their love for one another and express their grief over the death of George Floyd and many others who have died at the hands of injustice. Watch out for our next episode as we play Part 2 of their conversation. It is important you return next week for Part 2 as they discuss their commitment to listen to and to protect one another. Let us all hear their call to repent. 

"This conversation is not the end, it's a beginning."

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Global Hope India: For over 20 years we have been watching God radically transform thousands of Americans & Indian Nationals through missions. We’ve taken nearly 1,000 Americans on short-term mission trips to India. We work with 12 long-term indigenous church planting partners located in North, South, East, & West mainland India as well as Northeast India. We empower the Church in India to make Christ known through leadership, child, & village development projects. Global Hope India is a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Morrisville, North Carolina. All gifts are tax-deductible. More about GHI.

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Meet Pastor Kevin: Pastor Kevin is Founder and Executive Director of Global Hope India and your host for Living the Dream Podcast. He’s a poor kid from rural North Carolina, but get this… He just returned from his 50th trip to India in 20 years. If he doesn’t yet hold the Guinness Book of World Records for the most trips to India then he’s got to be close. He’s flown over a million miles to 27 different countries. He’s taken nearly 1,000 people on mission trips to India. Global Hope India has seen thousands of Indian Nationals and Americans radically transformed by God through missions. The miracle continues! More about Pastor Kevin.

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