Last summer, on a trip home to Suffolk, Virginia, I visited with a dear elder who offered many of us space and mentorship and was a powerful presence in the community. He recently passed away, and his nephew, a pastor, eulogized him by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan to describe his uncle's life. It was the right text for Wesley Odom, the man who stopped when others passed by. He carried a selfless love that, over the years, earned him something like "mayor" status

Why a Comprehensive History of Chattel Slavery and Africa Is a Moral Imperative for American Education The American education system has, for generations, perpetuated a curriculum that diminished the lives of African and African American people. It has never fully addressed the horrific system of chattel slavery, nor held to account those who designed, implemented, and defended it; through slavery itself, through the Jim Crow era that followed, and into the divisive racial cl

Luke 6:46-49 Understanding the truth about Jesus the Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. Foundations matter in relationships (being equally yoked), for highways, houses, and buildings. Establishing a good foundation isn't optional; it's critical. The foundation is one of the most critical components of any building. It secures everything built above it and must meet specific code requirements. With football season upon us, that same principle is on full display

Isaiah 40:31But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. This scripture is set before us for reflection. Isaiah addresses a traumatized community in captivity, facing political upheaval and spiritual exhaustion. The prophet calls the people to repent and return to the Lord in obedience as they await God's decisive action: the coming of the Messiah

why is organizing important and why it cannot be developed out of personalities