I'm looking for some heavyweights.

That is, men and women who want to do more than just talk about bringing

people together of all races, cultures, and economic backgroundstogether

in the same church. Remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observed that

Sunday morning's worship hour was the most segregated hour in the week?

True then. True now. That must change.

I'm looking

for some resolute African-American men and women who want to see the church

become the center of reconciliation, and who are willing to join hands

with White brothers and sisters to proclaim a gospel for all people and

model a civil society for our children.

Not just doing

the church thing. You know what I mean. Just go to church with "them."

I am looking for men and women of my dreams. Christians of different races

who will invite one another into their homes and allow their children

to form enduring friendships. But what I have been discovering that more

people want to dream of that day rather than make that day happenin the

church.

I'm looking

for some sold-out White men and women who want to put their Christianity

where the heart of Jesus is: that is, in the words of the song: "Red

and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves

the little children of the world."

I hope you

won't get disgusted if I tell you I am disgusted with a lot of folks who

say they are for bettering the social climate in the land, but refuse

to put themselves at risk for the very cause.

Surely there

are some dreamers out in the golf-cart lanes of Peachtree City and congested

intersections of Fayetteville. Surely there are some folks who have not

completely sold out to the mighty dollar with the dream of a Mercedes

in every driveway.

Perhaps I am

a refugee from the sixties with residual visions and dreams of what could

happen if people would make their lives count for more than a 401K. Perhaps

I still dream of an ideal where Black, White, rich and poor can worship

in the same church house, and visit in one another's homes without embarrassment

or pride getting in the door.

If that's me,

so be it. I am an idealist believer. Nothing is impossible with my boss.

For ten years

I have sought to build a church open to all people. Our church is integrated.

Our leadership team is integrated. Our deacons are integrated. We have

received biracial couples as saints of the Lord. No one but the devil

is uninvited and unwelcome in our midst.

But we need

some heavyweights who would be willing to lay down their lives to expand

the ministry, to take down some more walls that divide people, and to

taste here on earth what the celebration in heaven will be like. Would

you like your life to count in eternity?

Join me. It

will be the ride of your life! You may contact me through the E-mail address

provided.

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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