On July 1, the Cornelius Corps completed 21 years of ministry focused on our mission of equipping people for a shared journey of racial justice/reconciliation and spiritual formation. In times like these, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or paralyzed by the deep divisions in our nation as well as the unrelenting litany of acts of violence and racial hatred. From the beginning of the Cornelius Corps in 2001, we have lifted up the history and legacy of the modern Civil Rights Movement as an example of a faith based nonviolent movement for racial justice that resulted in greater levels of equality and justice for all people. The quote by John Lewis posted above makes clear the connection between faith in God and thousands of people who were deeply committed to the movement. While the 1950’s and 60’s seem long ago to some and like ancient history to others, the relationship between faith and racial justice is as essential today as it was in those days.
As we enter the 22nd year of following God’s call through the Cornelius Corps, we are committed to keeping the main thing the main thing. Much has changed since our ministry started as a way to bring people together across the urban-suburban divide in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. I will always be grateful to New Community Church in the Shaw neighborhood of DC where the Cornelius Corps was based for 19 years. It was there that I experienced deep relationships with people of different races committed to faith and racial justice that inspired me to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. As I delved deeply into the history and people of that movement, I also learned that the faith base of the movement was often overlooked or minimized in much of the popular scholarship. Fortunately while in DC, I was blessed to meet and hear from some elders who were major leaders and participants in the Civil Rights Movement. For the vast majority of them, faith in God was foundational for engaging in nonviolent direct action for racial justice. Their witness helped me to realize that faith and racial justice continue to be two sides of the same coin.
Two years ago in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread racial unrest, the base for the Cornelius Corps moved from Washington, DC to Richmond, VA. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, the reach of our ministry grew through online classes and seminars via Zoom. Until then I could not have imagined bringing people together from different places, backgrounds, and races in this amazing way that allows for both large group presentations and small group sharing. Despite the change of location and technology, the mission remains the same. We remain committed to keeping the main thing the main thing – equipping people for a shared journey of racial justice/reconciliation and spiritual formation.