It is no surprise to see that the School of Denial has been called back in session. Its capstone classes on blame-shifting, scapegoating, and willful blindness are being taught, and with great passion. Its only textbook is divided into three sections: “This isn’t who we are,” “We are not responsible for it, they are,” and “White supremacy and Christian nationalism have nothing to do with it.”
But history is an itinerant professor. She doesn’t shout. She doesn’t have to. Her textbook is filled with generations of stories written in long-form with innumerable citations. Many have tried to coerce her to teach for the School of Denial. Some have tried to sanitize and re-dress her. But she won’t be coerced, sanitized, or re-dressed. She clings tightly to her text and carries on professing her truth. She will tell her stories. She will be heard.
She reminds us that we can change, but it will not happen if we listen to those who teach for the School of Denial.
May Christ the King be our light. May the gospel of God’s Kingdom open our eyes and ears. May the Spirit of Truth liberate us.
“As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. 42 He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes.” ~ Jesus, Luke 19:41-42
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About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 