Racial Justice Committee
In the book of Revelation, John describes heaven as, “a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.” This is no homogenous group but instead a colorful collection of humanity. This vision of the future provides insight into the kind of church we should strive to create here and now.
In 2016, Bridgetown Church began waking up to the myth of a post-racial America. Since then, we have felt the Spirit moving us from being mono-cultural to becoming a multi-ethnic expression of the Kingdom of God. In 2019, leaders of color gathered over multiple dinners with the pastoral team and as they shared their stories, our eyes were opened more to the need for change. And from that, in 2020, we started this journey in a more structured and sustainable way, which is why we are excited to announce the Bridgetown Church Racial Justice Committee.
Why do we exist?
To empower Bridgetown Church to pursue racial equity, be a conduit of cultural transformation, and cultivate an environment of unity in diversity.
How will we get there?
Create a sustainable structure for fostering racially, ethnically, and culturally inclusive and equitable practices within all aspects of Bridgetown Church through leadership and partnership.
Who are we and how do we work together?
Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
Inclusiveness: We respect each other, value diversity, and are committed to equity and equality. We are on this journey, as brothers and sisters in Christ, because of the love that we have for each other and for God.
Mutual Learning: We value honesty, authenticity, and accountability and view learning as a journey. We approach new ideas with open hands and humble hearts. We recognize that love and truth are at their best when they are hand in hand.
Embrace: We commit to being each other’s secure confidants where love hopes the best, grace is extended and received, and we embody healer and caregiver intention.
Faithfulness: We value consistency in prayer, presence, and peacemaking. We are committed to staying faithful to Jesus and the writings in the old and new testament’s, holding to their moral and spiritual vision of good and evil and human flourishing.
Togetherness: We believe that we experience and see God more holistically when spaces reflect a multiethnic, multicultural, and multigenerational community, and are bound together in love by the Holy Spirit.
Committee Members
The Bridgetown Racial Justice Committee has both staff and non-staff members who meet regularity as a whole and in sub-committees to lead the church toward racial justice in every aspect of life.
Christa Nutor, Co-Chair
Teaching Subcommittee Lead
Tiffany Flores, Co-Chair
Communities Subcommittee Lead
Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, Co-Chair
Bridgetown Staff; Justice, Reconciliation, & Mercy Fellow
Gavin Bennett
Bridgetown Staff, Pastor of Communities
Deidre Burton
Women Subcommittee Lead
Jarin Oda
Bridgetown Staff, Pastor of Youth
Youth Subcommittee Lead
Natalie Correll
Bridgetown Staff, Pastor of Communities
Hakeem Bradley
Teaching Subcommittee Lead
Dara Bankole
Music Subcommittee Lead
Joy Mulumba
Prayer Subcommittee Lead
Gabriel Flores
Communities Subcommittee Lead
Christian Dawson
Bridgetown Staff, Pastor of Worship
Music Subcommittee Lead
Tyler Staton
Bridgetown Staff, Lead Pastor
Kylee Logan
Bridgetown Staff, Communications Manager
Communications Subcommittee Lead
Tyler Hanns
Bridgetown Staff, Creative Director
Stephanie Quint
Prayer Subcommittee Lead
Tre’ Giles
Bridgetown Staff, Alpha Coordinator
Hospitality Subcommittee Lead
Bethany Allen
Bridgetown Staff, Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Leadership Development
Bella Zelaya-McCarthy
Youth Subcommittee Lead
Joy Schlichter
Kids Subcommittee Lead
Connect With Us
Let us know if you would like to connect with any of the members on our Racial Justice Committee. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Apply to the Committee
If you care deeply about racial justice and a multi-cultural expression of church at Bridgetown, we would love to have you become a part of the Racial Justice Committee. Apply to join a subcommittee.