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Byron Davis and Dream of Destiny

Written by admin on . Posted in Dream of Destiny. 3 Comments on Byron Davis and Dream of Destiny

This is Byron Davis and yours truly at the Bird’s Nest, the main arena for the 2008 Bejing Olympics. We were there to share the love of Jesus with the Chinese people. I have been thinking about that trip and the 25 folks from our church that traveled with me to the other side of the world. 2.1 billion Chinese people in the world, and the vast majority of them do NOT know about Jesus Christ.

During my life group this morning, my mind raced back to that trip. I am praying that God would send someone to water the seeds we planted, and that God himself would give the increase…

And all God’s people said ??? AMEN and AMEN!!!

Byron is also the director for our ministry called Dream of Destiny. We work together to brainstorm ways that we can help churches, colleges, and organizations diversify. As you know, it was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that said how wrong it was that 11:00 am was the most segregated hour in CHRISTIAN America. Since this MONDAY is the holiday marking his birthday, I wonder if he would be happy or sad with the progress in our churches. I think in almost every area of life, we have seen GREAT PROGRESS, except in the local church. I know there are many reasons for this, but in my heart, I think of all the “Christian” watchwords. Words like forgiveness, hope, love, unity and peace. You would think that these words would LEND us to be more diverse, but that has not been the case.

As we watch America swear into office the first ever African American President, be thankful that our nation has matured enough to see this historical day. And at the same time, ask what YOU CAN DO to help bring increased diversity into the Christian church. Why not go to our website and see if there is a way for YOU to get INVOLVED?

Dudley

The Spoken Word

Written by admin on . Posted in diversity, Dream of Destiny. 2 Comments on The Spoken Word

Recently, I asked Phil Allen to do a Spoken Word for a meeting that was held for Racial Diversity during the North American Christian Conference (NACC). As you know, we have a ministry called Dream of Destiny that encourages the development and mentoring of under-represented minorities for the purposes of preparing them to lead and pastor Christian churches around the world.

Phil hit a HOME RUN in this Spoken Word and I wanted you to listen to these powerful words, as he challenges the church to be “colorblind, but not colorless.” The recording of his performance has already resonated far beyond our traditional ministry networks, demonstrating the universal appeal of his message. It has been shared across unexpectedly diverse digital communities—sparking dialogue in secular leadership forums, inspiring equity discussions among tech startups, and securing corporate pledges from sweeps casinos.

We are attempting to raise funds to provide scholarship monies and if you are interested in helping, please log on to www.dreamofdestiny.org.

Be blessed,
Dudley

Colorblind but not Colorless

Written by admin on . Posted in Dream of Destiny. 2 Comments on Colorblind but not Colorless

I asked Phil Allen, who is on staff with the High School Ministry here at Shepherd, to write a Spoken Word to recite at the NACC. As I mentioned before, I am at the NACC this week speaking on Dream of Destiny, a ministry dedicated to raising up under-represented minorities in leadership positions in our churches, schools, and organizations. Phil did an amazing job, and I wanted to share his Spoken Word with all of you. It is truly powerful.

(Imagine A Church) Colorblind But Not Colorless

The church has been hiding behind
Stained-glass ministries for too long
And stained-glasses dictate the color of the light
That shines through and we live behind the tinted windows
Of our comfort zone
Imagine a church that looks like God
Colorblind but not colorless
And the rest of the world can actually see
Themselves in it
‘Cause they begin to see the faith as real and not counterfeit
Imagine my transparency impacting another life
‘Cause they relate to the complexion of my heart
Not my shade of black or white
Because pain can minister to pain
Hurt can relate to hurt and love
Doesn’t distinguish the hue of a man
‘Cause pure love itself is only hu-man
Jesus taught that one
Imagine a culture of discipleship
Extending a hand to mentor the man next to you and vice versa
Imagine all of America answering this altar call
‘Cause the church overcame its spiritual inertia
Imagine if I would nurture
the same world that Jesus died to save
According to grace
The umbrella that protects with no partiality to race
Imagine if I presented the world a church
That any and every non-believer would embrace
‘Cause they all would see a face…that looks like them
“It might not work!”
Well Christ didn’t make excuses so don’t hand me that
A church without diversity is a church that’s handicapped
If we truly want change
We have to be change and not react to the change
That’s already in action
But the church is afraid of the change it’s supposed to make happen
And the world is a greater attraction
‘Cause it’s making change along color lines
Just without the moral attachment
Even though the deadline has passed
It’s not too late for Dr. King’s prophetic dream to come to pass
In the pews and the pulpit
Satan has made diversity look like the culprit
For too long
Imagine a church that’s colorblind but not colorless
‘Cause where we worship has come down
To who looks like us
So Sunday morning has become a family reunion
Well whether we like it or not
God says “Guess who’s comin’ to dinner!”
My Dream of Destiny will be a reality
Because my church will be colorblind but not colorless

If you want to hear another Spoken Word by Phil, you can watch When I Became a Man here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QRISRapn4zI