Clay Countians for Inclusion presented Story Table featuring First Nations People. As we shared a meal, we created a safe space for unheard stories. The audience became silent but invested Witnesses of the Storytellers. On this day the Storytellers were Native Americans. We listened, learned, and discovered new perspectives as we see through the eyes of others. 

The Trauma Informed Care Model combined (ACE’s) Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adverse Community Experiences, Adverse Cultural Experiences, and how we consider Adverse Church Experiences. We exmplored how a church's silence on racism and sometimes complicity has an impact. Understanding how racism in America has been traumatizing and continues through past and current experiences continues as an important aspect of helping others heal inside the church as well as in the community.

Dr. Andy Johnson, Chair in Biblical Theology at MidAmerica Nazarene University shared his personal story in the context of exploring the history of his hometown in southern Mississippi during the 1960’s and 1970’s. As a professor of New Testament, Dr. Johnson framed the whole story by reflecting on what Scripture, particularly Paul’s letter to the Romans, teach about our own personal history and how we are shaped by the histories of the places we grow up. Along the way, Dr. Johnson drew attention to the Apostle Paul’s understanding of the nature of sin, holiness, and justice. He explored Black & White history that everyone needs to know and understand.

The New Song Café was a time for multiethnic Believers to worship God in unity, in their own individual expressions to bring Him glory. The celebration of Believers of all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities coming together to worship our Lord is a prelude to what we read about in Revelations, a time when people of all tribes and tongues and nations will celebrate together the awesomeness of our God. The New Song Café featured 3-4 musicians, singers, spoken word artists, and praise dancers as the café is hosted in different churches across the metro area.

We featured a focus group with Black teens to hear their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about racial justice in the Church. Participants and audience members were comprised of POC (People of Color) only to create a safe space for authentic expression. 

The Story Table, sponsored by the Clay Countians for Inclusion, gave voice to those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It provided a platform for people to shape the narrative of their own history. This is especially important in a world where voices and stories of people of color have historically been excluded and unheard. Black and Biracial women bore witness through personal testimony of the barriers they have broken through and how they conquered hidden agendas that were designed to keep them from thriving. “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” Audre Lorde, professor, author and poet.

Dr. Andy Johnson, Professor and Chair in Biblical Theology at Nazarene Theological Seminary shared his personal story of growing up in Mississippi in the 1960s and 70s. Framed by scripture, Dr. Johnson explored how history and sin shape us all, and broadened our understanding of what holiness and justice truly require of us.

Clay Countians for Inclusion presented Story Table: Building Bridges, from Campus 2 Community. We shared in a night to witness the lives experiences of multicultural students from William Jewell College. This event was a celebration of our shared humanity and an opportunity to build bridges across generations and cultures. We learn as we listen. 

"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." Amos 5:24 (NIV)

Dr. Andy Johnson, Professor and Chair in Biblical Theology at Nazarene Theological Seminary opened up an honest conversation on what Scripture teaches about personal sin, the brokenness of sin in society, and how both relate to racial injustice. Together we reflected on God's heart for justice and our shared call to love and care for one another.

"Pursuing holiness without doing justice is like trying to play baseball without a bat.” 

Dr. Andy Johnson, Professor and Chair in Biblical Thology at Nazarene Theological Seminary explored the primary meaning and relationship of both justice and holiness in the Bible. Dr. Johnson surveyed biblical passges to show: (1) that the essence of God’s character is holiness and that God’s commitment to restorative justice is part and parcel of what it means to be God; and (2) that God calls God’s people to reflect his holy character and individuals and communities can only do that by practicing restorative justice.