Conference Focuses on Erasing Racism

The Christian Reformed Church was among the more than 80 denominations and faith-based organizations represented at the recent, sixth-annual conference of Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT).

CCT is an organization committed to expanding unity, fellowship and outreach among diverse Christian churches.

As he did last year, Rev. Esteban Lugo, director of the CRC’s Office of Race Relations, attended the conference on behalf of the CRC. Both meetings were held in Memphis, Tenn.

Rev. David Engelhard, who served as executive director of the CRC, was a founding member of CCT. Rev. Engelhard died in 2005.

At this year’s conference, says Lugo, participants discussed and discerned — as they did in 2011 — how CCT and its members can respond in a meaningful way to address racism and poverty.

"The CCT Conference was a great time of encouragement as the families of Christian faith gathered to worship, pray, share stories, and discuss how we together can address the ills of poverty and racism in our society and generation,” says Lugo.

Lugo says participants spent time in worship, visited historical civil rights sites and attended plenary sessions, discussions and seminars.

“For me it was very encouraging to experience the reality of unity and that we're not alone in our struggle to eliminate poverty and racism and that we can be sources of support as we partner, network, and resource together.”

Participants at the CCT conference, held Feb. 14-17, heard a variety of presentations, including one on the non-violent, Bible-based underpinnings of Dr. King’s movement to treat all human beings with dignity, says a news release from the conference.

As part of the event, participants also visited the National Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, an Underground Railroad safe house, and the historic Mason Temple where King delivered his “Mountain Top” speech.

Reports about the ongoing struggles for more religious, social and political freedom in Syria and Egypt were also presented.

A statement titled “One in Christ for the Sake of All” was released by CTT at the end of the conference.

“Our common humanity and our witness to the Christ of all peoples summons our churches to act for the well-being of all, to advocate for equity for the poor, to pursue justice, and to practice the love and nonviolence that Jesus teaches,” says part of the statement.

At the end, the statement lists several action steps, including encouraging CCT members “to seek ways to collaborate in their anti-racism and cross-cultural ministries and to share their resources and experiences in this work . . .”

Lugo returned from the conference, as he did last year, aware of the many challenges and yet believing in the importance of this work.

“We need God and each other to overcome these ills. Together we're better," he says.