Ministry Wives Response to Racism & Prejudice
by: Diane Nix
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My response to racism has been developing my entire life. I grew up in Texas and Missouri. 
I’m a farm girl who worked alongside my dad, just like a young man. There were no excuses and no whining.
I’m a farm girl who worked alongside my dad, just like a young man. There were no excuses and no whining.Life was black and white on the surface, but beneath, emotionally, it was murky and difficult to navigate. For my family, everyone had their place. We had a history of farming, and therefore, everyone would always be farmers. As a young adult, I began to dig around in our genealogy. It seems we immigrated from France. Not to romanticize our immigration, we were given a choice by the country’s leadership to come to the new world or hang for our crimes. You see, we were horse thieves.
[su_spacer]We made the right choice.
[su_spacer]When we landed in this “new world,” we headed north and west. My great-great-grandfather settled in Alabama. The family had a small plantation, and with the small plantation, we had slaves. I know this because I have found evidence of it through genealogy research.
[su_spacer]When I discovered this, as with many other things, about my family of origin, clarity came. I then knew why there were so many strong opinions on specific issues, especially race, passed down from one generation to another.
[su_spacer]I can’t explain my reaction except for God’s Spirit, but I was not comfortable with my family’s response to race from a young age. I remember the remarks and words used that I absolutely could not stand. I remember listening and shuddering inside at conversations.
[su_spacer]As a college student, I brought my roommate home. She would be the first person of different skin color to place her feet at our table. My family wasn’t happy about his, but I did it anyway. I was the first white person to her home. I remember her family being very nervous. I was so ignorant; I didn’t even understand the danger I could have been placing on this precious family. She had brothers. Brothers that I was curious about and they were interested in me. More than anything, we were close friends, and in my ignorance and naivety, I didn’t even see what I could’ve been inviting into their home.
[su_spacer]This chapter closed in my life. God miraculously saved me and called me to ministry. I married my husband, and from the beginning, God called us to love and live with all of God’s family! It didn’t matter the color of anyone’s skin. We were going to minister to and alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ. And there it is again, NAIVETY. I can say that I have almost patted myself on the back for my non-racist, non-prejudiced approach to family life and ministry. I have lived with pride in this area much of my life.
[su_spacer]In recent days, there has been a new stirring in this part of my story. Here is what I believe God has been speaking to my heart.
[su_spacer]-I can’t change or rewrite my family history, but
-I can change the legacy from this point on.
[su_spacer]-I can’t change where a sovereign God had me born in history, but
-I can respond as a sovereign God (not culture or secular media) would have me respond to this moment in history.
[su_spacer]-I can’t change an unteachable family lineage, but
-I can become teachable through this time.
[su_spacer]-I can’t imagine as a mom having to train your young men to act ultra-sensitive in how they respond to police/authority because if taken wrongly, it could cost you your life.
-I can’t imagine fear as a mom, knowing that you might lose your son or grandson because someone doesn’t believe he is worthy of the same respect or dignity as any other human.
[su_spacer]I CAN…
[su_spacer]Repent of my pride and naivety. (This is my personal sin – let God deal with you.)
[su_spacer]Be teachable.
Be kind.
Reach out to my other ministry wives and pray with them, OR
at least to express, “I LOVE YOU.” “What can I do?”
[su_spacer]I CAN
[su_spacer]Listen and Learn
[su_spacer]I CAN
[su_spacer]Lament (a passionate expression of grief or sorrow) over the grievous crimes committed against fellow human beings.
[su_spacer]I CAN CRY OUT FOR MERCY AND FOR THE CHAOS TO CEASE.
[su_spacer]I CAN
join with other like-minded ministry wives and declare through voice and prayer,
[su_spacer]ENOUGH!
[su_spacer]AND I CAN be a voice of reason and education to other ministry wives.
[su_spacer]In the coming days, Contagious Joy 4 Him will offer us other opportunities to grow together as ministry wives and leaders. I hope you will join me on this journey.
[su_spacer]I pray that as we love one another, pray for one another, listen and learn from one another, lives will be changed, and awakening and revival will come.
[su_spacer]May we glorify our Lord in all that we say and do!
[su_spacer]Psalm 90:12-17
12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
