Eugene, OR — Bushnell University’s Board of Trustees and Office of the President are pleased to introduce “Becoming Beloved Community“, a two-day symposium on racial reconciliation from a biblical perspective. The event title, “Becoming Beloved Community”, is a term popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his book, “Facing the Challenge of a New Age” (1956):
“…the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.”
The public is invited to two free events at Venue 252 on Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00pm and Thursday, November 2 at 6:00pm. More information can be found at Bushnell.edu/belovedcommunity.
This series of free campus and community events will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, November 1-2, 2023. “Becoming Beloved Community” and will include a special community screening of the award-winning documentary, “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” (Wednesday).
Watch the trailer for “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” here.
A thoughtful and accomplished panel of guest speakers will guide us through experiences that will inform our worldview, advise our advocacy, and inspire our passion for unity. Special guests for this event include:
Bishop Claude Alexander:
Bishop Claude Alexander is a dedicated servant of God, answering the call to ministry at age 17 in 1981. After leading Morning Star Baptist Church in West Mifflin, PA, he became Senior Pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, NC, transforming it into a global ministry. He’s an influential figure in Christian and civic spheres, addressing critical issues and co-authoring impactful books like “Required: God’s Call to Justice, Mercy, and Humility to Overcome Racial Division.” With degrees from Morehouse College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, he combines scholarship with leadership. He serves on numerous boards and provides leadership for various organizations, impacting both the church and society. Bishop Alexander and his wife, Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander, are proud parents of two daughters.
Mac Pier:Dr. Mac Pier, a South Dakota native who relocated to New York in 1984, is a prominent Christian leader with a rich history of ministry and authorship. He served 13 years with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, overseeing 15 campuses and speaking at Urbana Mission Conferences in 1993 and 1996. In 1988, he co-founded Concerts of Prayer, engaging 250,000 people from 2,000 churches in the Metro NYC prayer movement. With Dr. Tim Keller, he co-founded the Church Multiplication Alliance in 2003, catalyzing a 500% growth in evangelical Christianity in Manhattan from 1989-2014. In 2008, he founded The New York City Leadership Center (now Movement.org), launching Movement Day in 2010, connecting leaders from 400 cities and 95 countries. Dr. Pier holds multiple degrees, authored 10 books, and serves as Co-Catalyst for Cities with the Lausanne Movement. He resides in New York City with his wife, Marya, and has three married children and five grandchildren. His latest book is “Required: God’s Call to Justice, Mercy, and Humility to Overcome Racial Division,” co-authored with Bishop Claude Alexander.
“Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” creators, Rasool Berry and Lisa Fields, will share their insights into the making of the documentary during the screening.
Rasool Berry:Rasool Berry serves as teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York. He also is the Director of Partnerships & Content Development with Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Rasool graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies and Sociology. Rasool is a sought-after writer on the intersection of faith and culture. He’s the host of the Christianity Today sponsored Where Ya From? podcast and the writer, producer, and host of the Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom feature-length documentary. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Tamica, and their daughter.
Lisa Fields: Lisa Fields, one of the world’s most sought-after Christian apologist, combines her passion for biblical literacy with her heart for sharing God’s love to all those she meets. Lisa has received several honors, including been recognized in Christianity Today for her work as an apologist in the African American community. She is the founder and President of the Jude 3 Project. Lisa is also a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Religious Studies, and Liberty University with a Master of Divinity with a focus in Theology.
Chair of the Bushnell Board of Trustees and co-manager member of McKay Investment Company, LLC and Oak Leaf Property Management Kim Williams said, “The Board of Trustees of Bushnell University are thrilled to host “Becoming Beloved Community.” We are hopeful this series of events will result in a lasting impact that helps our community to overcome racial division.”
“We are learning to love our community, the way God loves us,” said DeLeesa Meashintubby, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine and pastor of St. Mark’s CME Church. Pastor DeLeesa serves on the Bushnell University Board of Trustees and was part of the genesis and planning of “Becoming Beloved Community.” Added Bushnell University President, Dr. Joseph Womack, “We feel blessed to be joined by such friends and consider together how we as a community might benefit from genuine reconciliation in unity.”
Event Details:
Wednesday, November 1st
- 12 – 1:30pm — City Gospel Movement: The strategic and long-term effect of churches and Christian leaders working TOGETHER for kingdom impact @ Bushnell University
- 7 – 8:30pm — Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom Community Screening @ Venue 252 *
Thursday, November 2nd
- 1 – 2:30pm — Continuing the conversation with local Churches @ Bushnell University
- 6 – 7:30pm — Continuing the conversation with our Community @ Venue 252 *
Registration and More Information:
*Limited seating is available; registration is required to reserve your seat. For registration and more information about “Becoming Beloved Community,” please visit Bushnell.edu/belovedcommunity.
Sponsorship:
Individuals, corporate partners, and local churches are invited to sponsor these events and participate in these no-cost experiences. In gratitude, the University will provide appropriate thanks and useful exposures to encourage and bless our friends who share in the leadership and impetus surrounding this important topic. For more information about sponsorship please visit: Bushnell.edu/sponsor
About Bushnell University
Founded in 1895 Bushnell University helps students discover and answer God’s call on their lives. Devoted to offering a Christ-centered environment, Bushnell encourages students to grow in wisdom, informed by faith, leading to lives of service. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded by pastor-educator Eugene C. Sanderson and pioneer businessman and church leader James A. Bushnell.
Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene’s vibrant University District. The University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for undergraduate and graduate studies through course formats on campus, online, and hybrid. More information about the University is available at www.bushnell.edu.