United? We Pray

Dr. Derwin Gray is pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina (just outside of Charlotte). He joins Austin to discuss his new book How To Heal Our Racial Divide (Tyndale, 2022). Austin thinks this book is the most complete offering for Christians on race and ethnicity. Dr. Gray has much to teach us about unity and God’s plan for His people. Links & Show Notes: You can buy Dr. Gray’s excellent book here.

Salvador Blanco joins Austin to talk about leading music in a multi-ethnic church. Music seems to be something that churches have historically fought about. We talk about why that is and how to think about worshipping together when we have different preferences.

Salvador Blanco joins Austin to talk about what life is like in Alabama as a second generation Latino. Salvador believes that second generation Latinos are uniquely positioned to build bridges between their immigrant parents and majority-white Evangelical churches.

Kam Pugh is a pastor at Iron City Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He joins Austin on the podcast to talk about ministry in a city with a troubled racial history. When Kam convinced Isaac to come to Birmingham, it wasn’t only to co-pastor, but to lead. Kam talks about why that was important and what it looks like to empower minorities in leadership. Links & Show Notes:

Faith Côté is a longtime friend of the ministry. She joins Austin to talk about her experience as a frustrated church member who learned how to channel her zeal into helpful contributions. She also gives tips for leading group conversations using Talking About Race. Links & Show Notes: Faith’s article about her experience as a public school teacher. Our podcast episode about “cage-stage.”

Austin and Isaac are joined by Darryl Williamson, pastor of Living Faith Bible Fellowship in Tampa Bay, Florida. Darryl has been pursuing multi-ethnic unity as a pastor for over a decade and has much wisdom to share about working toward unity without growing bitter. We hope you are encouraged. Show Notes: Living Faith Bible Fellowship’s website. Darryl’s books: 12 Faithful Men and All Are Welcome.

Austin sits down with Nate Brooks to discuss Nate’s new book, Identifying Heart Transformation. We talk about different Biblical frameworks for understanding the inner person and how that informs our view of human transformation. Nate Brooks (Ph.D. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Links & Show Notes: Isaac’s article about preparing yourself for racial conversations. Courtney Reissig’s article about healthcare disparities. Our episode with Michael Emmerson in which he talks about buying a house. Faith Cote’s article about being a public educator.

Austin and Isaac talk about what Scripture is and how we read it. What affect does our personal experience have on how we read the Bible? Does our experience change what is true? Watch, listen, and pray with us. Show Notes: Here is the Tim Keller interview Isaac referenced. Here is an article by Austin on learning from other traditions. Here is the book, Care of Souls that Isaac referenced.

Austin and Isaac talk about what Christians can do in their everyday lives to build toward greater ethnic unity. Racism has affected many aspects of their world, which means Christians have opportunities for redemptive work in many different walks of life. Links & Show Notes: Isaac’s article about preparing yourself for racial conversations. Courtney Reissig’s article about healthcare disparities. Our episode with Michael Emmerson in which he talks about buying a house. Faith Cote’s article about being a public educator.

Austin and Isaac sit down to discuss the last five years of ministry for United? We Pray and some of what has happened before and since. We trust that God is still working, even if public attention has drifted away from conversations around ethnic unity. Links & Show Notes: Our aims as a ministry, which have been unchanged since 2017. The kit Isaac referenced regarding the CRT controversy.

Overview: Dan Darling is director of the Land Center at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. He returns for the second time this season to talk about his forthcoming book, Agents of Grace. This episode is full of helpful reminders of how Christians can be more charitable as we disagree about the right things and extend grace over smaller matters. Here is more information on the Land Center at SWBTS. Click here to preorder Dan’s book.

Overview: Austin and Isaac discuss five books which have come out over the last two years, which we are calling, “The Stack.” These books work together to build a positive vision for racial unity which is self-consciously different than the most popular approaches in society. Links & Show Notes: Derwin’s book. Shai’s book and the interview we did with him. George’s book, the interview we did with him, and his article for us which outlines his thesis. Jarvis’ book, and the interviews we’ve done with him. Isaac’s book and an interview he gave on it.

Overview: Jamaal Williams and Timothy Paul Jones have written a fantastic new book, In Church As it is in Heaven about working toward a redeemed vision of diversity in our churches. They join Austin to talk about it. Links & Show Notes: To pre-order As it is in Heaven, click here. For more info on Jamaal Williams, click here. For more info on Timothy Paul Jones, click here. Click here for the episode with George Yancey referenced in this interview.

Overview: Omar Johnson is a pastor in Maryland, just outside of DC. He shares about his ministry in a difficult context, and how other churches are cooperating to help. Links & Show Notes: Here is the sermon on Psalm 131 that Omar preached at Iron City Church. This is the book Omar mentioned about the history of prosperity gospel preaching in some black communities.

Overview: Alicia Akins is author of the forthcoming book, The Gift of the Outsider. She joins Austin to talk about how reading books by authors of diverse backgrounds leads to greater understanding. Links & Show Notes: Alicia’s new book will be available for pre-order soon. Her last book, which is excellent, is available here.