Defender of the Dream Awarda piece of the dream1

Defenders of the Dream” award recognizes and honors the important work of racial reconciliation that is being done by Christian ministries and individuals in America. The Reconciled Church Initiative and The King Legacy Family Foundation created this honor to bring attention to those who are building bridges to peace.

At United Cry DC16 on April 9, 2016, at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, nine pastors, and ministry leaders were honored for the extraordinary work they are doing as Defenders of the Dream proclaimed and envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The nine recipients were charged to use their influence and stature in the religious world to establish a Kingdom standard, unify the church and to lead the way in racial dialog, healing, constructive programs for communities and the rest of the nation. It is believed that by focusing on those Leaders of racial bridge building, then others will be inspired to find creative ways they can help do the same in their communities.

Those honored on April 9, 2016 were:  Honorees
Healing the racial divide in the nation will take the Church’s leadership. An additional group of twenty people who have had a proven track record of reconciliation were honored and commissioned to continue to advance Dr. King’s visionary dream. These twenty leaders are pioneers in building true brotherhood, unity among brethren, visionaries and servant leaders who with the help of God are helping save lives and bring physical, emotional, economic and spiritual healing and transformation to communities.

We strongly believe that if the Church takes unified action in real time, we can avert a national crisis and restore a sense of purpose and destiny to many individuals, their churches, and their communities. We strongly believe that if the Church takes unified action in real time, we can avert a national crisis and restore a sense of purpose and destiny to many individuals, their churches, and their communities. More specifically, we will need specific steps of action to heal the nation by engaging in the seven spheres of activity. The leaders who were honored and those who are commissioned at the United Cry event were charged with leading their constituencies and communities across the seven bridges to peace.

 The seven bridges of peace as defined by The Reconciled Church Initiative are:

1.Prayer and Reconciliation Events
2.Education reform
3.Civic Engagement
4.Community Outreach and Service
5.Marriage and Family restoration
6.Criminal Justice Reform
7.Economic Development

The Reconciled Church

Mission Statement 

The Reconciled Church Initiative is committed to healing racial division in America by encouraging the Church to take unified action that restores purpose, justice, and opportunities to America’s communities. This non-partisan approach strategically addresses the root problems of America’s ghettos and suburban areas through engaging seven spheres of development that lead to community transformation and spiritual renewal.