We are living is very divided nation. In this session we will discuss our own contributions to the racial problem in our country. We will recognize our tendency to lay out sides of “us” against “them.” We narrow our definition of “neighbor” to the people who are like us. But Jesus wants to expand our definition of neighbor to every human—the only real “them” is Satan and his angels. This session will be challenging because it asks us to examine our own deep-rooted prejudices, fears, and cold-heartedness. Only through repentance and faith can Christ prepare us to reach beyond the wall dividing us and embrace both sides of the racial division in America.
Bio: Rev. B. Keith Haney, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care, and Stewardship, an ordained pastor for 28 years. Serving multi-ethnic urban congregations Berea, Detroit, MI, Director of Outreach and Evangelism, St. Louis for four congregations in the L.U.T.H.E.R. Plan, Senior Pastor at Gospel Lutheran in Milwaukee and Mission Facilitator, Northern Illinois District LCMS until September of 2019. He is also written a Bible Study on healing racial divides in America, “One Nation Under God-Healing Racial Divides.” In January 2016, he started to write a blog to encourage believers in their faith journey and non-believers to explore difficult faith issues. The blog has over 6,00 faithful followers, over 1,500 of those are Millennials. The blog address is http://alightbreaksthrough.org You can subscribe to his new podcast on Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-bridge-builders/id1527559732 or Spotify open.spotify.com/show/32doV0vgcnZiT9l6EFnC1R?si=pIb9IcN7Q4SYcVdORkMY-Q&dl_branch=1 Pastor Haney’s role in Iowa District West is to assist congregations with strategic planning, visioning, outreach to the community, cultivate a culture of generosity, and foster a climate of human care that connects faith to crisis situations. He is married to Miriam (Bickel) Haney, and they have six children, Mitchell, Todd married to Zipporah, Sharon, Jonathan, SaraGrace and Zane. They have two grandchildren, Matheo and Nalah Rose.
Youth and adult sessions recorded at the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. For more information about the Gathering, visit www.lcmsgathering.com.
