Wall Breakers and Bridge Makers

In a world full of division, the Ministry of Reconciliation emerges as a beacon of hope. Its mission? To break down walls that separate us and build bridges that unite us through training people in the practice of reconciliation. To address division and needs within our families, churches, and our local communities, what we need most are Wall Breakers and Bridge Makers! But what does this mean in practical terms? :

Wall Breakers:

• The walls that divide people are often made up of several or many of these elements: general misunderstandings, intentional/unintentional harm, political differences, racial biases, economic disparities, denominational differences, geographical boundaries, and generational gaps.

• The Wall Breakers within the Ministry of Reconciliation are like skilled demolition experts. They dismantle these walls, brick by brick, within our families, churches, and local communities.

• Their tools? Wall Breaking Conversations filled with compassion, empathy, and a commitment to understanding. They listen to the stories of others, seeking common ground and tearing down the divisive “Us against Them” beliefs that hinder our unity.

• As a Wall Breaker, you pursue biblical truth, offer biblical love, confront lies and bias, challenge prejudice, and refuse to let walls stand unchallenged. You recognize that true reconciliation begins with tearing down walls of divisions. 

  Bridge Makers:

• Now picture a bridge—a sturdy structure connecting two previously separated lands. Bridges span rivers, valleys, and chasms, allowing people to move freely from one side to the other.

• The Bridge Makers in the Ministry of Reconciliation are tasked with restoring broken bridges and constructing new ones.

• Their work involves connecting families, churches, neighborhoods, and organizations. They leverage resources—both human and material—to bridge gaps and address real needs.

• As a Bridge Maker, you collaborate, build relationships, and facilitate connections. You recognize that reconciliation isn’t just about tearing down walls; it’s about creating pathways for healing, understanding, and for greater love and service to one another.

  Jesus: The Ultimate Bridge:

• Jesus exemplified both roles. He didn’t merely build bridges; He became the ultimate bridge between humanity and God.

• His life demonstrated sacrificial love, breaking down walls of sin and separation. He invited us into the ministry of reconciliation.

• As followers of Jesus, we shall not have any God before thee! We’re called to not exalt any personal, ethnic/racial, political, denominational, or cultural affiliation above Him. We are called to lay down our own biases, and become One within Him! By imitating His example, we are led to be wall breakers and bridge makers.

• Being a Bridge Maker means bending to listen, leveraging and linking resources to provide real solutions to real needs in our personal relationships, churches, neighborhoods, and local and global communities.

Neither demolition nor construction are actions that can safely happen without adequate training and tools. Equipping people with these tools is the purpose of the Ministry of Reconciliation Training. 

April-May 2024, we plan to train 36 Ministers of Reconciliation across three communities (12 from each city and surrounding counties)- Charlotte and Wilmington, North Carolina, and Clarksville, Tennessee. 

Your Invitation:

• So, dear friend, which role resonates with you? Are you a Wall Breaker, a Bridge Maker, or both?

• Join the Ministry of Reconciliation. Be part of the movement that heals wounds, restores relationships, and unites families, churches, and communities.

• Whether you swing the sledgehammer or lay the foundation, remember: We build too many walls and not enough bridges. Let’s change that narrative together.

Read more and apply through this link by Tuesday, March 26th if you are interested in becoming a Minister of Reconciliation!

Ministers of Reconciliation Training

Operation Butterfly: Phase 1- Reconciliation

In a world full of division, we believe that the practice of reconciliation is the first step to fostering true and loving unity in our communities, churches, families, and the world . In the first phase of Operation Butterfly we aim to to train 36 Ministers of Reconciliation across three communities (12 from each city, surrounding towns, and counties) - Charlotte and Wilmington, North Carolina, and Clarksville, Tennessee.  At the end of their courses, trained Ministers of Reconciliation will join the Program Director (Ted White) at an all-day Reconciliation Training Experience offered to each of their respective cities throughout the month of May.

The end goal of this first phase is to establish Ministry Teams of Reconciliation, consisting of 3-6 persons per team, who will be trained and deployed in their local cities to facilitate reconciliation conversations in their local churches, ministries, neighborhoods, schools, and communities- creating a ripple effect of breaking down dividing walls, promoting unity and understanding, creating new partnerships, and manifesting greater acts of service.

If you desire to expand your capacity for offering the healing gift of reconciliation, register for the training below. Please find the list of training dates here to determine if you are available to be in attendance this season.

Biblical Foundation of Reconciliation:

April 9 & 11, 12:00 – 1:15 pm, 6:00 – 7:15 pm

Equation of Reconciliation:

April 16 & 18, 12:00 – 1:15 pm, 6:00 – 7:15 pm

Facilitation of Reconciliation:

April 23 & 25, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m., 6:00 – 7:15 pm

Fill out the form below to attend one of our training conversations!

Let ONEness Ring!

MLK Day Zoom Conversation

In acknowledgement and deep appreciation of the peacemaker, the preacher, and the prophet, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the BODY Institute will be holding a zoom conversation on MLK Day, Monday, January 15, 2024 centered around Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. 's Sermon, Paul's Letter to American Christians. In this conversation, we will be introducing and discussing this 1956 sermon as well as our MLK inspired theme for 2024- “Let Oneness Ring”! Together, if we let our Oneness Ring- loud enough to crumble the walls of division built before us- then, only then, will our Freedom Ring in greater and more beautiful manifestations in the lives of people!

Sign up for event below

Martin Luther King Day Zoom Conversation - 1/15/2024, 12:00pm - 1:30pm

BODY Institute Update: November 2023

We are excited to share some of the highlights of our work at the BODY Institute, where we aim to bring reconciliation, liberation, and transformation to individuals and communities through the power of God’s love.

Reconciliation: From Disunity to Unity

By the end of November, we plan to successfully complete our pilot phase of six conversations on the Ministry of Reconciliation in Charlotte, NC. These conversations are designed to help participants move from a state of disunity to a state of unity with God and one another. We are grateful for the feedback and insights we received from our pilot group, and we are working on revising and improving our curriculum. Starting from January 2024, we will be offering and facilitating the Ministry of Reconciliation Conversations with families, churches, ministries, neighborhoods, and schools in the Wilmington, NC and Charlotte, NC areas.

Liberation: From Dormancy to Discovering and Releasing Spiritual Gifts

We are also preparing to launch our pilot phase of the Ministry of Liberation Conversations in January 2024. These conversations will help participants discover and release their spiritual gifts in love and service to others. We believe that God has given each person unique gifts and talents to bless the world, and we want to help them unleash their potential and passion.

Transformation: From Disorder to Deploying L.I.F.E. Teams to Meet Needs and Link Resources

Finally, we are also planning to start our pilot phase of the Ministry of Transformation Conversations in March-April 2024. These conversations will equip participants to form and deploy L.I.F.E. Teams, which stands for Lifestyle Health, Inside Health, Finance and Housing Health, and Education and Employment Health. These teams will identify needs and link resources to hurting individuals and families in churches, ministries, neighborhoods, and schools. We believe that God has called us to be His hands and feet in the world, and we want to help people experience His love and grace in tangible ways.