February 23, 2025 is Racial Reconciliation Sunday. We created a free downloadable bulletin insert for use in your church.
Racial Reconciliation Sunday is a powerful reminder of our calling as the body of Christ to reflect his love and unity in a divided world. Pastor Micah Gaston is committed to leading his church in being a beacon of reconciliation, rooted in the gospel’s transformative power. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate the beauty of every nation, tribe, and tongue and commit together to be help churches actively pursue racial unity and healing in their communities and beyond.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”
Revelation 7:9: (ESV)
I serve in a city that is scarred by its racial history. As I have studied Scripture, I am convinced that a racially reconciling church pleases God. Among the important lessons I’ve learned, here are four that make me deeply committed to this kind of church.
A racially reconciling church displays the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham
God handcrafted the first human being in his image, revealing that all humanity has a common ancestry. Then, God sought out a man named Abram, calling him to a covenant through which a Savior would bless all the peoples of the Earth. Through God’s work of creation and his covenant with Abraham, it is obvious that God’s redemptive work is a multiethnic movement.
A racially reconciling church is essential for reaching the next generation
There is a disconnect for people in our culture when they see diversity in every other sphere of their lives, yet many churches remain monoethnic. By the year 2030, the majority of the working class will be nonwhite, and by the year 2060, 57% of the population will be nonwhite. In other words, the next generation will be multiethnic. If churches do not adjust their methodology for the changing mission field, they might miss reaching the next generation.
A racially reconciling church displays the power of the gospel
Jesus prayed for the unity of the Church (John 17). Many issues are polarizing for people today. Often, this is because they live in “echo chambers.” Churches that seek diversity will find conflict. Yet, the power of the gospel is on display whenever the Church functions as God’s reconciling agency by helping develop deep empathy and understanding.
A racially reconciling church displays a preview of heaven
Fast forward to the end of history in Revelation 7:9 where every tribe, tongue, and nation are gathered together, worshiping Jesus as one family while maintaining their distinctions of color, culture, and language. The population of heaven is comprised of a redeemed people from all classes, races, and people groups worshiping one risen King.
To see additional SBC event dates, visit sbc.net/calendar.
For more bulletin inserts, visit https://erlc.com/resource-type/bulletin-inserts/.
