Moving Against Prejudice
Jamie Shaver of Pine Township and co-founder of Butler County's True View Ministries has teamed up with the Woodland Valley Church of Mars and others to organize the One Movement Event Nov. 3 and 4 at the Pittsburgh Airport Embassy Suites 550 Cherrington Pkwy., Coraopolis.
Shortly after Shaver and her partner taped a show on racial reconciliation for “True View,” their ministries' television talk show, the duo decided the issue was bigger than a show segment.
“We connected with others to become a part of this initially by sharing the vision that God had given to my ministry partner and I to ignite revival and end prejudice in the church,” Shaver said.
Julie Van Gorp of Marietta, Ga., also a co-founder for True View Ministries, said, “Since February of this year, my ministry partner Jamie Shaver and I set up meetings and have met with numerous church leaders from various denominations and ethnicities from throughout the community to discuss their thoughts on the topic of racial reconciliation and how it and interdenominational unity can be achieved in the church.”
Shaver and Van Gorp both have a strong belief it is a Biblical matter.
“God's heart for unity in the Body of Christ is mentioned throughout Scripture, and as his followers we are called to love what he loves and to hate what he hates,” Van Gorp said. While the racial divide isn't confined to the church, this is the focus of the weekend event.
Amy Martin of Adams Township, a women's ministry leader for Community Bible Study, wanted to be involved after attending an evening meeting at the house of a friend where they committed to pray for the upcoming event.
Martin is part of the skit team, writing the skits that will be performed at the event.
“I have seen the impact of women's ministry — it is life-changing. It impacts women and families in positive ways and expands the kingdom as it touches families, neighborhoods, churches and generations,” Martin said.
“The issue of unity in the church is very important to our Lord, so it should be very important to each of us. The church needs to address the issue of prejudice, and I am excited to see women in Pittsburgh gathering to make it a reality,” she added.
Toni Turner of Penn Hills will serve on the multiethnic panel for the “table talks.”
She is a pastor at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, a multinational congregation located in Wilkinsburg and the founder and CEO of the GRECISM Task Force, a ministry dedicated to the tearing down racism.
Turner defines racism as “the inclusion or exclusion of anyone on the basis of skin color or any other outward characteristics” within the Body of Christ.
Having seen and experienced racism, Turner felt called to the cause of reconciliation.
“I feel that the move toward unity has to be intentional, and because of my personal background that I must be part of the solution,” she said. “I would go so far as saying that there is not a member of my family that has not experienced racism in one way or another as far back as my mother's memories of her family, and she is now 103 years old,” Turner said.
Turner is quick to note race isn't mentioned in the Bible and believes is to be a man-made construct and a by-product of “the Fall.”
Even the mention of the word racism is a hot-button topic today, and Turner doesn't deny that.
“Many are afraid to talk about racism within the church. I call it the 'paisley print elephant in the room.' That's my logo. Hopefully we can make way for people to be able to lay down their fears and discuss the issues and work through the difficulties until love wins,” said Turner.
“The One Movement” launch event is designed to ignite revival by bringing together Christian women from all walks of life to expose the root cause of prejudice and division; reveal God's heart and purpose for unity; provide an opportunity for intimacy with God and reconciliation with one another; and encourage the Body of Christ to intentionally live in unity and with love for one another for the glory of God.
“I think women should see this as an opportunity for them to become a part of the solution of healing the division in the church and our nation,” said Van Gorp.
“If we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem, and God has called us to take action regarding obedience to His command 'to love one another as He has loved us.'”
WHAT: True View Ministries' One Movement EventWHEN: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4WHERE: Pittsburgh Airport Embassy Suites 550 Cherrington Parkway, CoraopolisINFO: Pre-registration is required. For more information or to buy tickets available through Nov. 2, call 412-337-6973 or visit www.theonemovementevent.com
