As America prepares to mark 70 years since the monumental Brown v. Board of Education ruling desegregating America’s public schools, new research shows that both racial and economic segregation and division is actually rising. With a contentious election months away and recent statistics noting an increase in hate crimes, many Americans are wondering what will bring the change the country needs to correct its course.
National Unity Weekend believes that the change must first come from unity within the body of Christ and these heartbreaking developments in our nation will not cease without spiritual intervention. National Unity Weekend is catalyzing Americans to choose love over fear and service over centering oneself. On June 8-9, Americans in cities across the country will gather to serve neighbors in disadvantaged communities and receive spiritual guidance from their individual pastors’ teaching of Acts 17:26, which says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries.”
“We are living in one of the most polarized times in American history,” said Bishop Derek Grier, founder of National Unity Weekend. “A lot of people want government programs and politicians to fix what is happening. While these efforts serve a purpose, they will not heal our country by themselves. Our national division originates in individual human hearts; and there is not a more powerful and time-tested instrument to heal hearts than the hopeful message of scripture. The church must decide whether to be part of the problem or the solution. It’s vital we use our enormous but unrealized strength to build bridges as pulpits thunder across the nation with a message of healing.”
Grier continued, “I am so encouraged by the momentum we have seen since the first National Unity Weekend last year. Churches are committing to being the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and underserved. We will distribute over 100,000 pounds of food and there are many opportunities for more churches and people to get involved.”
This is the second National Unity Weekend. What began as Zoom calls between pastors to encourage one another in 2022 has become a catalyst for National Unity Weekend to serve communities in need that may feel tensions most. The weekend provides an opportunity for churches, organizations, and individuals around the country to partner with one another through service outreaches across racial and denominational lines. Last year, more than 10,000 people were fed and 70,000 pounds of food was distributed through a partnership with Operation Blessing. Each National Unity Weekend partner is encouraged to respond to the needs in their respective community, so acts of service will be unique to each participating church or organization. Food distribution, on-site meals, job resources, prayer and activities for kids are a common occurrence at most locations.
National Unity Weekend unites Americans from all socioeconomic, political and ethnic backgrounds. There is still time for churches and organizations to register and join National Unity Weekend.
To register your church, find a participating church or for more information on National Unity Weekend visit UnityWeekend.com.
