Learn about racial justice ministries
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) professes that racism, in all its forms, is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, it acknowledges that racism is a reality in both church and society. In faithful witness to the love of Christ, the church is committed to confronting racism and racial oppression in the church and the world, working to overcome racism with prayer, discernment and worship-based action.
Continue readingExplore issues in depth
- Reparations
- Immigration
- Hurricane Katrina and Systemic Racism
- Environmental Racism
- Public Education
- Electoral Reform
- Fair Food Campaign
- Women of Color Consultation Task Force
Meet the Associate for Gender and Racial Justice in the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol is the Associate for Gender and Racial Justice in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She is the author of the 2012-2013 Presbyterian Women Horizons Bible study, Dispatches to God's Household: The General Epistles. And, she served on the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) from 1996-1999. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School, and while at Harvard, she served as seminarian in The Memorial Church of Harvard University, under the direction of the late Peter Gomes.
Nancy's work includes leading "Building the Beloved Community" (antiracism) trainings, following up on General Assembly referrals assigned to the Office of Gender and Racial Justice, and developing programs and ministries at all levels of the church that implement the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s policies of becoming an inclusive, diverse, and racially just church.
She also works on the 2013-2016 Mission Work Plan general assembly engagement, transformational leaders and organizational integrity directional goals, with a focus toward cultural proficiency. And, she will develop resources for Presbyterians, in partnership with other Presbyterian Mission Agency offices, mid-councils, congregations, and ecumenical organizations, that promote the work of gender & racial justice in the church and in society.
Youth Cultural Proficiency Pilot Program
We strongly believe that racism is a learned valued that is taught over time by individuals and systems that do not regard diversity (difference) as a God-given gift of creation. Learned values such as racism, prejudice and discrimination must be unlearned by youth today. The first step in this process is to teach some alternatives to racism – namely, love of neighbor and appreciation for the Christian belief that “everyone is created equally in the image of God.” The Office of Gender and Racial Justice strongly encourages each presbytery to establish a training program to teach the importance of celebrating diversity. To support our efforts, we are providing seed grants to assist congregations and mid councils in this work.
