let justice roll down

Over the course of my vacation in Southern CA last week I read a book called Let Justice Roll Down (can be purchased at www.ccda.org) by John M. Perkins to prepare for our upcoming trip to New Orleans for Hurricane relief. The book chronicles Perkins' journey from the poverty, prejudice and racism of his upbringing as a sharecropper in New Hebron, Mississippi in the 30's to his founding of Voice of Calvary ministries. Perkins left Mississippi as a young man, after his brother was killed, to go to California where he found job opportunities, a different brand of racism and faith in Jesus Christ.

He returned to Mississippi to share the Gospel and help his own people find equality, justice and economic independence through cooperative efforts. His ministry shockingly led to a night when Perkins and some of his colaborers endured an inhuman night of torture at the hands of white law enforcement officers. Perkins was almost beaten to death, yet the Lord spared him and his colleagues allowing his incredible work of "redeeming lives among the poor which will in turn redeem (biblically transform) whole communities." The mission of the John M. Perkins Foundation sums up his life work well, "To raise up, nurture and equip leadership who will 'wholistically' minister to the poor through communicating biblical truth to achieve the building of community through Reconciliation, Relocation and Redistribution."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to walk in the shoes of a man who has witnessed and endured intense racism firsthand. I have never looked at life through the eyes of such a man as John Perkins until reading this autobiography. This is a man who finds his joy in the Gospel, who preaches the Gospel and who puts hands and feet to the Gospel in a wholistic way.

In a few weeks, we will be taking a small team (there's still room! Contact shelly@graceslo.org if you're interested in joining us) to New Orleans August 12-19 to work alongside Trinity Christian Community in the redevelopment of this city's community, devastated a year ago by Hurricane Katrina. I'm eager to get a glimpse of TCC's ministry, which provides training opportunities and resources for faith-based organizations having an impact on at-risk communities throughout New Orleans. Throughout collaborative efforts, more lives can be changed and our reach can be greatly expanded.

"Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you...
and pray to the LORD on its behalf..." Jeremiah 29:7