Written by Dr. Steve Whitaker, Head of School & Marci Chavalas, Senior Director of Professional Development and Parent Relations
“People would rather see a sermon than hear a sermon.” Rev. Dr. Bernice King’s words about the profound, life-altering influence of her parents reminds us that we can make a huge difference in the life of the young people God has entrusted us to care for. Corretta Scott King’s acting out of forgiveness inspired Bernice to repent of the hatred and anger she felt toward those who killed her father.
As we reflect on our school year theme, Stronger Together, and on the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the idea of unity stands out so clearly. As we all move within our personal spheres of influence, we remember the call to be unified as ministers of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:10 tells us, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” The unity we work towards daily will be a powerful sermon to the next generation. We all have blind spots and areas of disunity that God is calling us to submit to him. As we each open those broken areas of our story to God’s healing touch, we can grow Stronger Together as the body of Christ.
Take the first step today. Grab a friend and join us for our Parent University, Beyond Colorblind, on Thursday, January 23rd in the Boyd-Moline Library. This is a great opportunity to explore these issues in a safe, welcoming, and gospel-centered environment. The workshop will be led by directors from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Mid Florida. In this workshop, you will get the opportunity to recognize that each of us has an ethnic story – a story about the family that God placed us in, and how the beauty and the brokenness exhibited in those family stories can be harnessed as gospel sharing tools. In a culture that uses race and ethnicity to divide instead of unify, this perspective on ethnicity will truly help you stand out as a light! Let’s go beyond colorblind and become ethnically aware bridge builders for the kingdom in 2020! You can RSVP for this Parent University HERE.
You can learn more about Bernice King, and cultivating a heart of mercy, by visiting the link below. In the article and video, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King shares how the power of God’s Word shaped her life growing up as the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., and how we can tap into that same power today, in order to practice true justice towards others: by walking in mercy and humility.