With racial reconciliation being a hot, charged topic in today’s news cycle, many tend to get a little uncomfortable when it’s brought up. We run away from it because of the heavy controversies and debates that have taken the public stage.
Though, diversity is not something that necessarily belongs to secular culture. In fact, engaging in diverse communities and loving people that are different from us is something that God created, not man.
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11
This is what I love about Trillia Newbell’s latest children’s book, God’s Very Good Idea, as it helps children see how people from all ethnic and social backgrounds are valuable to God, and that Jesus was sent to die for every single person on earth. I believe that if we, as the church, want to make a difference in the way we relate to those that are different from us, we have to start inside our homes. And this book is a great tool to start a healthy, fun conversation with your children.
We were honored to chat with the author, Trillia Newbell, during an exclusive audio interview inside Kirk Cameron’s The Campfire. In addition to being an author of multiple books, Trillia is the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. You might also recognize her from Kirk Cameron’s Revive Us 2.
She’s truly a leader on the topic of diversity and racial reconciliation in the church, and the comments she shares on this interview are powerful. When asked how we can practically celebrate diversity within our families and our communities, she shares:
“This may sound simple but… Get to know your neighbors! And if you live in a place where it’s hard to find people that are different from you, then bring different cultures to your kitchen table.”
Trillia then explains how she makes this a reality in her own home. For example, last summer she and her family “cooked through the nations.” Once a week, she cooked a recipe from a country or culture that the children selected from a list. They also spent time talking about the history and listening to the music from that culture. What a creative way to help your children “get to know” people that are different from them!
Another great point that Trillia shares is the fact that we have to start the conversation from a positive point of view. Rather than focusing on the debates crowding the media, she believes that we should begin the conversation here:
“God created all of us. And He created us all different! It’s amazing and it’s for His glory!”
Listen to a clip from the interview below:
To hear more of Trillia Newbell’s practical ideas of celebrating diversity as sons and daughters of Christ, listen to the full interview at The Campfire today.
Caitlin Jordan is the assistant editor for TheCourage. She lives with her husband, Ryan, in Dallas, Texas. She is passionate about the importance of transparency and loving those that disagree with Christian beliefs. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
