I want to express my deep gratitude to God and to everyone who contributed to the Cornelius Corps year end financial campaign. Through the gracious gifts of many people, our goal of $15,000 was not only met but exceeded. A total of $19,505 has been received. Each contribution, small or large, is an encouragement and affirmation of following God’s call to racial justice as an essential aspect of Christian discipleship.
Looking ahead to 2025, we know that these will be challenging times especially for the most vulnerable people in our society. Political divisions continue along with dehumanizing rhetoric and threats based on race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Our ministry is committed to honoring the God given humanity of each person. We will continue to offer classes and workshops that help people learn about the struggles of our nation’s past in order to “connect the dots” and equip us to face and address today’s struggles in the ongoing journey toward justice for all. We are also helping to develop a Racial Justice Network to provide support and community for individuals, churches, and organizations engaged in the ministry of racial justice. If you, your church, or organization are interested in any of our Cornelius Corps offerings, please contact me at [email protected].
As we face the challenges ahead, we stand on the shoulders of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) who have gone before us. Sixty years ago this month, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize. In his acceptance speech, Dr. King pointed beyond himself to the commitment of thousands of others engaged in the Civil Rights Movement. He emphasized that the foundation of the movement was nonviolence as the way to work for justice and peace:
After contemplation, I conclude that this award which I receive on behalf of that movement is a profound recognition that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time – the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts. Negroes of the United States, following the people of India, have demonstrated that nonviolence is not sterile passivity, but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation.
In this Christmas season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we not only celebrate his birth but also commit ourselves to his way of nonviolent redemptive love that still has the power to transform individuals, systems, and societies. Thank you for helping the Cornelius Corps to continue following God’s call to this ongoing journey of faith and justice.
The video posted below is the full version of Dr. King’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. In only 12 minutes, he reflects on the preceding years of the Civil Rights Movement and looks ahead with faith despite the many obstacles ahead. Although this speech is 60 years old, it still provides insight and inspiration as we remember God’s faithfulness in the past and trust in the way of nonviolent redemptive love no matter what we face in 2025.