· Ministry to Men

United Methodist Men Tackling Racism

by Cynthia B. Astle

A United Methodist Insight Column

As demonstrations against racism and police brutality continue across the United States, segments of the United Methodist Church are stepping up to lead anti-racism campaigns. One such group is United Methodist Men.

In the past month, two men’s leaders in Georgia, where Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging, have called on United Methodist Men to stand against racism in their communities.

Louis Johnson, North Georgia Conference president of UM Men, says that now is the time for men of God to spread hope for a future where racism is eradicated. Odell Horne Jr., a men’s ministry specialist at Impact Church near Atlanta, says that UM Men are being “called in” to make genuine disciples of Jesus Christ so that racism can be overcome through “redemption, reconciliation and love.”

In addition to these individual encouragements, staff of the General Commission on United Methodist Men have opened talks with men’s ministry leaders in the three historically Black Methodist denominations – African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal-Zion, and Christian Methodist Episcopal. Together they plan to hold conversations, develop resources, and work together on anti-racism campaigns.

To learn more about the United Methodist Men’s movement, check out the latest issue of its magazine.

 

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