Over Easter weekend we celebrated the amazing gifts we receive through Christ's death and resurrection--forgiveness, hope, new life, salvation, freedom, and purpose to name just a few. I'm very thankful that the cross also gives us a solid, unshakable foundation for building lasting, healthy ethnic unity in the church.

The last month has been filled with tragic, high profile reminders of how volatile ethnic relations continue to be in the U.S. and around the world. Incidents like the Trayvon Martin shooting and the recent shootings in Tulsa expose the fear, resentment, and anger that continue to simmer very shallow beneath the surface of our society. Meanwhile, many world leaders like British Prime Minister Cameron are admitting that their attempts at multiculturalism are failing.

Societies around the world are exerting enormous efforts to create functional multicultural societies. Many are learning the hard way that their efforts are built on shifting sands.  But, through the cross, Christ has given us a solid rock to build upon. The apostles and early Christians recognized this enormous treasure (Ephesians 1-3) and built diverse communities that shocked the world with their counter-cultural love and unity. Now it is our turn. Imagine what would happen if we displayed to the world what multi-ethnic community can look like when it is built on the rock of Christ.

- Chad Brennan

"I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” - Jesus, Luke 6:47-49 (NLT)

ReNew Campus Leadership Forum, May 14-15

Video: Being a Witness in a Multicultural City by Zacharias

Dr. Ravi Zacharias shares tips on being a witness for Christ in our increasingly multicultural cities with challenges like: "pluralism is a good things but relativism is not", "avoid prejudging others", and "get to know them, befriend them, be kind and gentle and wait for the right time to share the good news of the gospel."

Video: Reflections on the Trayvon Martin tragedy

Dr. Salter-McNeil shares her reflections on the Trayvon Martin tragedy and challenges us to use it as an opportunity to grow in our ability to identify with people who are not like us and to empathize with their situation.

Video: Race and the Christian with Piper, Keller, & Bradley

John Piper, Tim Keller, and Anthony Bradley share their thoughts on the biblical basis for ethnic relations in the church and why Christians should be motivated to break down ethnic divisions and advocate for justice within our society.  After about an hour of opening comments they answer questions submitted by the audience.

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