10 Years After Ferguson: Walking or Talking?
Inspired by the lynching of Michael Brown, Jr., the Conscience and Justice Council held the 9th annual convention from September 19-22, 2024, in St Louis, MO. The theme of the conference, “10 Years After Ferguson: Walking or Talking,” fueled panels, plenary sessions, sermonic discourse, music, and discussions that highlighted the imperative for Christ centered activism.
The conference began with a pre-conference activity. Participants were given the opportunity to reimagine where Michael Brown, Jr. was lynched as they toured the streets of Ferguson; through the oral histories of law enforcement and community representations, they experienced what happened to 18-year-old Michael Brown, Jr., on August 9, 2014; he was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri.
A thoughtfully engaging plenary session “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” featured Michael Brown, Sr., father of Michael Brown, Jr., and founder of Chosen for Change, “a non-profit organization that provides holistic grief support and outreach programs to families who have experienced a traumatic loss.” Mr. Brown, Sr., reminded the attendees of the importance of the call to get involve in helping to transform society for good after a tragedy.
On Friday evening, Pastor Marcus Cosby of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, called on the attendees to “shake off” their “baggage” and believe God for something better.” He also reminded the attendees that there is a need to meet people with the same “justice,” saying “if someone was kind enough to meet you with justice, you should be kind enough to meet somebody else with “justice.” Justice begets justice in a “beloved community.”
Sabbath worship reflected the essence of the organization. Pastor Rice was honored for his service. Pastor Furman Fordham, Director of Church Ministries and Mission Development for the South-Central Conference delivered a sermonic call to action, reminding the audience that God provides a model of action: God “ministered” and then said, “follow me.”
Pastor Tricia Wynn Payne of the Lake Region Conference delivered a soul stirring sermon during the Saturday evening worship experienced. The pastor who also serves as the Women’s Ministry Director admonished the audience to “go when God says go.”
The attendees experienced a wholistic approach to social and civic engagement; the conference activities represented a wealth of themes including “Civic Engagement in Adventist DNA” presented by Kevin M. Burton to the Lucille Byard Symposium in which Pastor Anthony and Mrs. India Medley examined “Generational Trauma: Slavery and its Impact on Health.” The conference ended with a celebratory breakfast where attendees were able to network.
Chaired by Edward Woods III, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for Lake Region Conference, the yearly convention is a spiritual/social imperative. The Conscience & Justice Council Convention provides rich content and practical application for engagement to communities surrounding local churches. Through a biblical lens, we seek to replicate the love of Christ to everyone. It is sponsored by Adventist HealthCare, Center for Community Change at Andrews University, Central States Conference, Lane Consultant Group, Liberty Magazine, Message Magazine, Mid-American Union Conference, North American Division Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, North American Religious Liberty Association, Office of Regional Conference Minstry organizations and conferences (see table). The “social justice warriors” convened in a safe and spirit filled environment as they shared in an “upper room” lab of public affairs and religious liberty. Their goal: to “walk” and “talk” social justice with love and compassion.
Dr. Ramona L. Hyman is a professor, author and speaker living in Harvest, AL. In addition, she serves as a Governor’s Appointee for the Alabama Arts Council. Presently, she is authoring a book on the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.
