Conversations can help us understand the many facets of a tough topic.
Our willingness to enter into conversations about tough topics can lead to a better understanding of God and each other as we seek to help people find their way back to God. This summer at COMMUNITY, we are going to spend three weekends exploring some tough topics: Race and Racism, Mass Incarceration, and Mental Health. Each week, Dave Ferguson will interview an expert on that topic.
Find Big Idea Resources for Each Week Below
May 26 – June 1 | Conversation # 1 | Race & Racism
A conversation with Daniel Hill, Author of White Awake
Daniel Hill
Daniel Hill is the founding and senior pastor of River City Community Church, a vibrant, multiethnic church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. Formed in 2003, River City longs to see increased spiritual renewal as well as social and economic justice in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and the entire city. Daniel is an active participant in addressing and confronting racial and systemic injustices.
He is the author of White Awake, a book that takes an honest look at what it means to be white with the hope of empowering every one of us to be agents of reconciliation in our increasingly diverse and divided world.
June 30 – July 6 | Conversation # 2 | Mass Incarceration
A conversation with Dominique Gilliard, Author of Rethinking Incarceration
Dominique Dubois Gilliard
Dominique DuBois Gilliard is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Evangelical Covenant Church. He also serves on the board of directors for the Christian Community Development Association and Evangelicals for Justice. In 2015, the Huffington Post named him one of the “Black Christian Leaders Changing the World.”
Dominique is the author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, which addresses many of the shortcomings within the United States’ justice system and encourages Christians to pursue reforms that emphasize reconciliation rather than punishment. His book won the 2018 Book of the Year Award for InterVarsity Press.
July 28 – August 3 | Conversation # 3 | Mental Health
A conversation with Jamie Tworkowski, Founder of To Write Love On Her Arms
Jamie Tworkowski
In 2006, Jamie Tworkowski wrote a story called “To Write Love On Her Arms” about helping a friend through her struggle with drug addiction, depression, and self-injury. The piece was so hauntingly beautiful that it quickly went viral and led to the founding of a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope, and finding help for people struggling with mental health.
“To Write Love On Her Arms” is now an internationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and a source of help for millions. Based in Melbourne Beach, Florida, Jamie spends much of his time on the road telling the “To Write Love On Her Arms” story and encouraging audiences primarily at concerts and on university campuses.
