Greetings Reconciler Family,
We
have reached mid-year already. So many things are
happening that time seems to fly. On May 15 and 16,
my wife Jannice and I attended a White House sponsored
grant writing conference for faith-based and community
organizations. It was quite informative. Would you
please pray with us that God would provide us with
some grant money, according to His will? Meanwhile,
as we experience a “summer slow-down” financially,
we pray that God would see us through.
On
May 25-27, I had the opportunity to be part of a
cultivating event in Cincinnati, Ohio. I participated
in an interview with a Civil Rights icon, Rev. Fred
Shuttlesworth. He was one of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.’s closest confidants. He was born in Alabama,
as I was, and helped lead the way in integrating
schools and other establishments in Birmingham, Selma
and other Alabama cities. He was arrested 38 times
and beaten a number of times. When asked about fear
of death, he pointed out that he looked to God through
it all, but had fully expected to give his life for
the sake of others before he reached age 40. He believes
the passage, “He who loses his life shall gain it.”
He has no bitterness from the beatings, arrests and
bombing of his house. He feels it was his calling
from God to help advance the cause of freedom and
equality, regardless of personal cost.
He
is now 85 and, interestingly, was re-married last
year and is co-writing a book. He was and is one
of my heroes. Rev. Shuttlesworth is a very Christ-centered
man of faith. His lips drip with wisdom and hope!
In
April he spoke in one of our congregations pastored
by Chapter Leader George Hart. He and his wife Sapphira
joined us on Pentecost Sunday for services where
I had the privilege of speaking.
We
feel that we have some great material for future
publications, both audio recording and for the written
page. John Halford led the interview.
Thank
you very much for your constant and strong support.
God bless you!
Curtis
May |
