Race and Faith: Building Our Community
JUNE 12, 2014
Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland CA
DR. MARK LABBERTON BIOGRAPHY
Mark Labberton was named president of Fuller Theological Seminary as of July 1, 2013, after serving as Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching and Director of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching since 2009. He came to Fuller after 16 years as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, California. Dr. Labberton has been involved in ministry for over 30 years and has spoken before a broad range of audiences, including numerous conferences and events for the Presbyterian Church (USA), InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the National Pastors Convention, and the International Justice Mission. He has also taught courses at New College Berkeley for Advanced Christian Studies.
In 1982 Labberton co-founded the Christian International Scholarship Foundation (CISF)—an organization funding the advanced theological education of Christian leaders from the Majority World, including executives of relief organizations, college and seminary faculty, and denominational presidents—and served on the board of CISF for 17 years. He has also worked closely with John Stott Ministries, the U.S. member of Langham Partners International, which provides books, scholarships, and seminars for Majority World pastors. Labberton served as chair of John Stott Ministries from 2001 to 2004 and co-chair of the John Stott Ministries Global Initiative Fund from 2004 to 2007. Today he continues to contribute to the mission of the global church as a senior fellow of the International Justice Mission.
Labberton has authored First Things: A Theology of the World, the Church, the Pastor, and the Sermon (2013); The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus (2010) and The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice(2007). He has published articles in periodicals such as Christianity Today, Radix, and Leadership Journal, the latter for which he also serves as contributing editor.
PASTOR MICHAEL MCBRIDE BIOGRAPHY
Pastor Michael McBride (known as “Pastor Mike”) is a native of San Francisco, CA. and has been active in ministry for almost 20 years. He is married to Cherise McBride and they have 2 daughters, Sarai Hope and Nylah Joy. In 2000, Pastor Mike graduated from Bethany College with a double bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies and Theology. In 2005, he graduated from Duke University’s Divinity School with a Master’s of Divinity Degree with an emphasis in Ethics and Public Policy.
Over the past 15 years, his commitment to holistic ministry can be seen through his leadership roles in both the church and community organizations like Bible Way Christian Center, The Racial Justice Coalition of CA, NAACP, ACLU, the San Jose Interfaith Council and much more.
In June 2005, Pastor McBride launched a new church in West Berkeley, CA named The Way Christian Center. This vibrant and life-giving congregation has since increased to several hundred members who are committed to “Connecting to God, Growing in Faith and Serving the World”. In January 2009, Pastor McBride became the Executive Director of Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action, a congregation based organizing federation within the PICO National Network.
In January 2012, Pastor McBride became the national campaign director for PICO’s Lifelines to Healing Campaign, a comprehensive violence prevention, mass incarceration and life transformation campaign led by hundreds of faith congregations throughout the United States. He is deeply committed to empowering urban communities, families and youth, using the principles of a relevant and liberating gospel message that transforms lives.
The Project Peace Speaker Series is pleased to partner with local agencies and faith based groups, to discuss how the ideas of race and faith intersect in the East Bay.
How can we as people of faith engage in this topic and be a part of a community-wide solution? How do we as citizens and people of faith work together with the broader community? How can we live out our faith as it relates to race?
We will be exploring this topic with a featured keynote by Dr. Mark Labberton and Pastor Michael McBride followed by a panel discussion and exhibitors’ fair.
Our hope for the evening is to contribute to the larger conversation around the restoration of our city by strengthening our faith and our communities.
Keynote
Dr. Mark Labberton
Pastor Michael McBride
Panel Discussion With:
Abu Qadir Al-Amin, Imam SF Muslim Community Center,
Rosa Aqeel, Legislative Director for PICO CA,
Mary Ellen Azada, Associate Pastor of Missional Engagement at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley,
Ben McBride, Founder of Empower Initiative & Director of City Team Oakland, and
Marjorie Stamper-Kurn, a diversity and inclusion specialist.
Exhibitor Fair following the speaking portion of the night, featuring local agencies contributing to the restoration of our communities.
Opportunities to register for follow up events and conversations related to the topic of Race & Faith
