This conference was the culmination of organic, grassroots fellowship between pastors of the Lake Region and Michigan Conferences, who began meeting together in spiritual fellowship in 2017. Recent racially charged events created opportunities for deepening fellowship, dialogue, and personal spiritual growth.
The event titled “His Invitation: Reconciliation, Unity, and Latter Rain Power,” drew hundreds of Adventist participants online and in churches.
Keynote speakers Drs. Gregory and Carol Allen of Oakwood University and authors of Christ Has Welcomed You: A Biblical Case for Relational Unity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, presented four lectures stemming from their research of the topic. Presentations traced the ethnic tensions between Jew and Gentile in the early Roman church and the biblical record of the Apostle Paul’s appeals in the book of Romans and other pastoral letters. In these passages, he evenhandedly addresses both ethnic groups and appeals for them to unite together in Christ through His saving ministry.
In an effort to engage as many as possible, the presentations were made available in the congregational setting of participating churches, as well as via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook Live. Since some churches have not yet opened or are offering limited service options due to the continued pandemic, digital engagement helped overcome a number of obstacles and attracted Adventist viewers from as far as Washington, D.C. to Washington State. For those who registered for the event, breakout sessions were facilitated by local Adventist leaders who posed discussion questions as attendees further considered the material.
This conference was the culmination of organic, grassroots fellowship between pastors of the Lake Region and Michigan Conferences, who began meeting together in spiritual fellowship in 2017. Recent racially charged events created opportunities for deepening fellowship, dialogue, and personal spiritual growth. Carmelo Mercado, General Vice President and Multicultural Ministries Coordinator of the Lake Union Conference, served as facilitator for these meetings and provided leadership for the group’s study and dialogue. At the recommendation of Dwayne Duncombe, district superintendent for the Lake Region Conference in Detroit, the Allens were invited to share their research. As this small group of pastors met virtually with Drs. Allen, something began to stir.
“As the Allens shared from a biblical perspective, we were convicted that the broader church membership must be involved in some way,” said Darryl Bentley, the district superintendent for the Michigan Conference in the greater Detroit area.
Duncombe noted that, “What made the difference in our meetings was the Word of God. None of this was our agenda. As we studied the Bible together, God’s Spirit began to move.”
In a video promoting the event, pastors highlighted the history of ethnic tensions in the city of Detroit, and the biblical appeal from Ephesians 2:13-16 as the answer to ethnic tensions
While surveys from attendees are still being collected, a number of positive reactions have been received. Edwina Cookie Holley commented that the presentations contained “world class teaching.”
At the conclusion of the event, attendees eagerly inquired as to what was being planned for the future. Mercado asked the same question to the local pastoral leadership.
“I’m convinced that the Holy Spirit led us to have this convocation so we as a people can be on the road to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - that His people may be one," said Mercado. "I believe that’s it’s only when we come together in true Koinonia to study the Word of God and pray can the walls that divide us can come down and the Latter Rain will be poured on His people.”
Dwayne Duncombe agreed, “I am so convicted that what we did this weekend was something that Christ initiated. It was a lot of hard work, and there was a lot of planning, but [all of it] was guided by the Holy Spirit. And I think that just as surely as the Lord led us to this place… He will lead us in terms of our next steps.”
You may watch the "His Invitation" Bible studies and discussion below.
Jarod Thomas pastors the Detroit Oakwood and Monroe churches in Michigan Conference.
