“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.” These words from Micah 6:8 not only call followers of Christ to pursue justice, but also express the heart of God for justice. Despite this shared call, we, as the Church, have often had a difficult time working across racial, denominational and other lines to pursue justice together.
Why is justice work so difficult to pursue together? What are the foundational concepts that we need to understand? How can we engage in conversations that arise in broader society on difficult topics, such as critical race theory, policing, redlining and other issues, in a way that honors God? Co-hosted by the National Association of Evangelicals and Denver Seminary, this virtual roundtable features a diverse panel of Christian leaders, including Patty Pell, Michael Emerson, D.A. Horton and Christina Edmondson, in a wide-ranging discussion on evangelicalism and justice.
Patty Pell is associate professor of theology, justice and social advocacy and the executive director of The Gospel Initiative at Denver Seminary. Her ministry roles have included positions with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, pastoral leadership, and founding an immigrant and refugee congregation in Colorado. Pell’s passion for justice has taken her around the world, leading student groups in urban outreach and teaching in Uganda. She has worked for immigration reform and empowered local congregations to create social change. Pell holds a Ph.D. in public theology from the University of Aberdeen, an M.A. in biblical studies from Denver Seminary, and a B.A. from the University of Wyoming.
Michael Emerson is the Baker Institute’s Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University and a leading scholar in the intersection of religion and public issues. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has authored 15 books, nearly 100 publications, and led the largest national study of religion and race ever conducted. His work has earned national awards, major grants and media features in outlets like NPR, CNN, and the New York Times. Emerson holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in sociology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago.
D.A. Horton serves as assistant professor and program director of the Intercultural Studies program at California Baptist University. He also serves as associate teaching pastor at Grove Community Church in Riverside, California. With a passion for urban and global ministry, Horton uses his writing and speaking skills to discuss insights on topics such as ethnic conciliation, collective perspective and hip hop. He has authored nine books, including “Are You Good with God?” and “Intensional: Kingdom Ethnicity in a Divided World.” Horton graduated from Calvary Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in Christian studies and is currently working on his doctorate in applied theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Christina Edmondson is an educator, strategist and speaker who has served in a variety of roles. Most recently she served as dean for intercultural student development at Calvin University. She also partners with several universities to develop ethical and impactful leaders. As a certified cultural intelligence facilitator, public speaker and mental health therapist, Edmondson often consults churches on leadership development, anti-racism and mental health issues. She is one of the co-hosts of the Truth’s Table podcast. Edmondson holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, a M.S. in family therapy from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hampton University.
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