The U.S. Church is always on the move. Currently, there is a decline in attendance amongst Gen Z and Millenials. This trend is partially attributed to the mono-cultural nature of many churches. The world around us is more and more multi-cultural and multi-ethnic and often churches remain mono-cultural and mono-ethnic. This lack of diversity is not a place where younger generations want to invite friends and colleagues to attend because it doesn’t look like our workplaces and communities.

Efrem Smith and his co-author Dan Kreiss (who was not able to join the conversation) wrote the book “Church for Everyone” which puts forward the idea that we need a multi-inclusive environment in our churches. Multi-inclusive churches create environments where all people are welcome, and their stories and histories are acknowledged.

Efrem Smith, (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the co lead pastor of Midtown Church, a thriving multiethnic community in Sacramento, California. His books include Raising Up Young Heroes and The Post-Black and Post-White Church.

Dan Kreiss (DMin, George Fox University) who was not able to join the conversation, is the associate minister for mission and community outreach at Roswell Presbyterian Church in the greater Atlanta area. He was previously professor of youth ministry and dean of the School of Missions at King University in Bristol, Tennessee.

Check out this episode of the Live Faith First podcast.

Let’s Live Faith First!!!

Efrem Smith links:

Influential Global

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In the heart of Mississippi, there’s an organization that is bringing people together across divides. Jackson, Mississippi has historically been one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. In the early 90’s, a group of people set out to bring people together across ethnic lines and Mission Mississippi was born. Over the past 30 years, hundreds of relationships have been built, which has made a significant impact on race relations in that city and state.

In this episode, we talk to Neddie Winters, former President and Brian Crawford, current president of Mission Mississippi. The mission of Mission Mississippi is to engage, to equip and to empower the next generation to build relationships across racial lines, to work together with better understanding, to build greater respect for one another and to trust each other while making a better Mississippi together.

Brian Crawford is the President of Mission Mississippi, and lead pastor of City Light Church, an intentional multiethnic church plant in Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. Brian and his wife, Candi, are natives and long-time residents of Vicksburg and have a passion to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ with the city they hold dear. Brian is also committed to the work of assessing, training, and coaching church planters across the US through his work with 242 Network and MyBlvd.

Neddie Winters is the former Executive Director and President of Mission Mississippi. Born in the Mississippi Delta into a family of sharecroppers, he started his career in the FDA. Eventually, he became a pastor and then into his role with Mission Mississippi. Neddie brings 30 years of experience in racial reconciliation and has endless stories of seeing people’s attitudes and hearts change.

Check out this episode of the Live Faith First podcast.

Let’s Live Faith First!!!

Mission Mississippi. links:

Mission Mississippi

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Ever wonder if God is sitting in heaven laughing as we try to live a hopeful life. God has a wry smile saying “they bought it, they think hope is real.” If so, then check out this podcast. Pastor Irwyn Ince Jr. wrote the book “Hope Ain’t a Hustle”-as in God didn’t get one over on us when He told us that hope was a real thing.

In this conversation, we discuss living with the Holy Spirit in us and how that affects our interactions with other Christians from across traditional divides. We discuss getting comfortable on this earth, while our eternal destiny is in heaven. We also journey into a few questions around grace, and living through difficult circumstances. And of course, we discuss HOPE!!

Irwyn L. Ince Jr. is the coordinator of Mission to North America, part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Formerly, he was a pastor at Grace DC Presbyterian Church. He is also the author of The Beautiful Community. In 2018, Ince was unanimously elected as the forty-sixth Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly moderator—the first African American to hold the position.

Check out this episode of the Live Faith First podcast.

Let’s Live Faith First!!!

Irwyn Ince Jr. links:

Book: Hope Ain’t A Hustle

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