John Perkins Center

The 2024 Perkins Lecture Series with Sandra Van Opstal: People left full and wrestling with the spirit in formational ways. We celebrated our 20th Anniversary as the JPC, and took time to honor 20 years of partnership with the Perkins Foundation with the Perkins Presidents, Elizabeth and Priscilla visiting this week.

Campus and community were left thinking about shalom, neighboring, and the intersection of worship and justice. Students noted both the timeliness of this space for reflection, as well as the value of truth and insight received.

“You cannot dream about what if, if you cannot name the what is.” Sandra Van Opstal.

Join us for the 2024 Perkins Lecture Series, April 23 on campus. Elizabeth Perkins in morning chapel and closing with our 18th Perkins Lecture keynote Rev. Sandra Van Opstal. Visit our website for more information on the full day of events.

https://spu.edu/administration/john-perkins-center/news-archive/2024/perkins-annual-lecture-2024

This morning at the 12th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast. We had 3 of our JPC students read scriptures in Moni, Amharic and Spanish on program.
Rev. Dr. Efrem Smith preached a keynote titled ‘Let the Dream Ring In An Age of Justice Fatigue’ that named, advising us to… allow God to liberate your story and your soul, recognizing that the work requires a choir (not just solos); and be rooted in and spurred on by love.
There were many in the community gathered to be blessed or affirmed, awakened or stirred within, or gifted something to ponder or wrestle with.

On a visit this week to the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, which started with Tuesday Bible Study. Then celebrating the Perkins family at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. It was fun seeing the family, Seattle friends, partners and colleagues, and meeting new friends.

The 2023 Perkins Foundation Gala speaker, Bryan Stevenson gave thanks to Dr. Perkins “for representing something truly prophetic in our world today.” He gave a keynote sharing about proximity, narrative, hope and truth.

The evening honored 63 years of ministry with John and Vera Mae Perkins and the Perkins family. It held stories of generational impact, community, transformation, and friendships of the heart. The night closed recognizing Co-Presidents Priscilla, Elizabeth and Deborah; intentionally praying over them as they carry the Foundation forward. It was a night to

Came to Jackson this week to celebrate at the Perkins Foundation Gala, honoring 63 years of reconciliation and Christian Community Development. The morning of course started with the Tuesdays Perkins Bible Study.

Journeyed from Jackson, Mendenhall to Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma; with a community of students, faculty, staff and partners (11 from SPU-JPC) for the 2023 Perkins Justice Pilgrimage. Hosted by the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation

Learning and discovery that cannot be gleaned from the classroom or text books; embodied stories shared and engaged; reflections, prayers, and processing; and space held for all the emotions, as well as for imagining and hope.

This week we have been on the Perkins Justice Pilgrimage with students, staff, faculty and community partners.

The 2023 Perkins Lecture Series gathered us under the theme of “The Legacy of Where We Are: Lessons from History,” featuring speakers Dr. Jemar Tisby and Rev. Dominique Gilliard. It was a very enthralling couple of days. Dominique Gilliard Jemar Tisby

In partnership with local churches, Dr. Tisby worked with Tymon Haskins at Churchome and Rev. Gilliard preached on Acts 16 at Rainier Avenue Church (RAC) on Sunday (4/23) whose response was a standing ovation. Monday (4/24) held the 17th Annual Perkins Lecture given by Dr. Tisby titled “The Moment of Decision” utilizing stories of Dr. Perkins, Fannie Lou Hammer and MLK in the challenge of conflict, the opportunity of faith, and the cost of one’s call.

Tuesday (4/25) started with the Perkins Chapel where Pastor Genesis Parker (RAC) offered worship, and Gilliard and Tisby shared on a panel moderated by Dr. Joyce del Rosario on history in light of the urgency of now.

Tues afternoon was the CCDA PNW Training Event CCDA PNW Regional Network, where Gilliard offered the theology of CCD principles down at Urban Impact, finding through stories in scripture ways to deepen the grasp of the principles and recognize the interdependence of their work in communities.

And the 2023 Perkins Center Writing Prize awardees were presented with Christina Valdez as 1st prize and Lauryn Keith for 2nd prize.

The JPC is excited to have Dr. Jemar Tisby and Rev. Dominique Gilliard for the 2023 Perkins Lecture Series (April 23-25)!

Join us for the 17th Perkins Lecture with Dr. Tisby on Monday April 24, and for a panel at the Perkins Chapel on Tuesday April 25 with Rev. Gilliard, Dr. Tisby and Dr. Joyce del Rosario. See our website for the full schedule of events, including a CCDA PNW Training Event with Gilliard.

https://spu.edu/administration/john-perkins-center/news-archive/2023/perkins-annual-lecture-2023

We are live-streaming tonight at

https://youtube.com/live/ErD1CWjMsk0

Preparing for this week’s dinner and conversation with Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, along with Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage and Michael Won. RSVP and join us https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversations-of-unsettling-truths-an-evening-with-rev-dr-soong-chan-rah-tickets-511238326597

Preparing for this week’s dinner and conversation with Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, along with Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage and Michael Won. RSVP and join us https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversations-of-unsettling-truths-an-evening-with-rev-dr-soong-chan-rah-tickets-511238326597

The 11th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast took place Monday, Jan 16. This years keynote Romanita Hairston (CEO Murdock Charitable Trust) challenged and encouraged us about beloved community, “Dr. King’s dream was for community.. [and] a true community based on faith changes things.”

We honored the memory of Rev. Allen Belton (cofounder of the breakfast) with the Lifetime Service Award, having his wife Margaret and daughter Elizabeth with us to receive it. To know him, is to know he had a genuine heart for the Lord and this our beloved community.

One of our UI community partners, Charlett Shoecraft with EYFO received the Mountaintop Education Award, introduced by Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil (last year’s recipient). Also on program this year was JPC student leader Esther Mutesi to read scripture in Kinyamulenge and Center for Faithful Business Director Dr. JoAnn Flett to provide the closing prayer. Thank you to all participants and committee colleagues. It is an honor to be a community partner.

View this years program, 2023 MLK Prayer Breakfast: https://youtu.be/jtv0hkRZb4Y

Tomorrow morning’s 11th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast will be happening at 7:00 am. Join us online for a great start to your day.

You can join us virtually with $35 registration at https://www.mlkprayerbreakfast.com

Join us for an evening with Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah on Tuesday January 31. Evening includes dinner, small address by Dr. Rah, panel dialogue with Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage and Michael Won.

For tickets & Registration: https://spu.edu/administration/john-perkins-center/news-archive/2023/Evening-Soong-Chan-Rah

He will be speaking the morning in chapel at 11:10am as well (chapel is free)

Celebrating this year at CCDA Charlotte with the Perkins Foundation and had the opportunity to share the story of the JPC, the beginning of this legacy journey.

The John Perkins Center is excited to support Acts On Stage in sponsorship for this year’s Teen Summer Musical, “The Greatest Story Ever Wove”. Get your tickets to come enjoy the story and talent of our community of young people.

https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/acts-on-stage/teen-summer-musical-77523

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our patrons and sponsors. Shout out to The Voices Project and John Perkins Center of SPU. Thank you!

The John Perkins Center in Seattle is hiring for an Associate Director.

"The John Perkins Center, through connections with campus faculty and departments, and with community leaders and organizational partners, orchestrates community learning opportunities and spaces for critical reflection and dialogue around community development and reconciliation. The Associate Director and Minister of Community Development will join to sustain community engagement from a 3 R's framework and cultivate experiential learning spaces."

https://spu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=150998

Seattle Pacific University Job Posting: Associate Director of John Perkins Center (11 mos/yr) Seattle Pacific University Job Posting: Associate Director of John Perkins Center (11 mos/yr)

Recordings of the plenary sessions from our spring Perkins Lecture Series: Imagine CCDA, are uploaded onto our SPU John Perkins Center YouTube Channel. We partnered with the CCDA PNW Regional Network for this year's first conference. Follow the link below to review more. The below benediction by JPC director Caenisha Warren summarizes themes from our day with our speakers Dr. Joyce del Rosario and Lenore Three Stars, a panel on leadership with Michelle Lang-Raymond, Elizabeth Perkins, Priscilla Perkins and Steve Bury.

Imagine CCDA PNW, Benediction by Caenisha Warren:
We come being thankful that, as Joyce del Rosario said, "Dr. Perkins opened up our missional imagination."
-May we carry the visions forward from the foundations that have been laid & those we are building. May we be a community of leaders that does not subscribe to "performative progress." (Dr. Joyce del Rosario)
-May we lean into and take note of this Kairos moment for the church and for our communities.
-May we teach & learn as we go, & be intentional towards the space we create along the way.
-May we explore in order to understand our worldview, knowing "there is no culture free gospel". (Lenore Three Stars)
-May we seek to be a good relative & a good neighbor, as we live with each other & with the land.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6rq9DNUZ0GN3rTK2bRdKg

SPU John Perkins Center - YouTube Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

Sending some big birthday love to our visionary founder and namesake. Happy Birthday John Perkins, John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation!! It’s been great to be with you this year and excited that a team is on their way to Jackson today for the Mississippi Pilgrimage.

Lunch with Seattle Pacific University President Pete Menjares, John Perkins Center Director Caenisha Warren, Lisa Ishihara, & granddaughter Shelby Perkins.

It has been a full week with so much more to share, but cherishing this time with the Perkins Family.
John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation

Today has been so full & rich!

Giving an opening message of encouragement to the CCDA Pacific Northwest Regional Conference. It is a great joy to be here among friends at Seattle Pacific University

What' happening with the Perkins Center at SPU? We are gearing up for next week’s time with CCDA PNW Regional Network in hosting the first regional CCDA conference in PNW. Imagine CCDA will take place Tuesday, April 26 on SPU's campus!

Excited for our speakers Dr. Joyce del Rosario, Lenore Three Stars; for our worship with Michelle Lang-Raymond; for our visit from the Perkins family; and for our workshops!

Registration for the full conference is open till 4/19. Morning plenary is at 11am and evening plenary is at 6:30pm.
https://spu.edu/administration/john-perkins-center/news-archive/2022/perkins-annual-lecture-2022

We have been holding in the heartbreaking news this weekend with the loss of Big John Perkins. Remembering dear moments with our dear brother in ministry and the early time of the Center, and knowing his ministry at home, it is a deep loss. Let us continue to embrace the family in prayer.

https://gofund.me/c957393a

The Perkins Center serves on the MLK Prayer Breakfast Committee alongside a number of other community partners. And this week at the 10th annual MLK Prayer Breakfast we were excited to honor Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil with this year’s Vision from the Mountain Top Education Award!

As partners in the Reconciliation Studies Minor program at SPU where we get to see her passion lived out, it is a privilege to recognize her lifetime commitment and work in reconciliation this year. Congratulations Dr. B!!!

What a morning it has been as I was honored with the Mountaintop Education Award at the MLK Prayer Breakfast in Seattle! What a privilege to be among such stellar award recipients and safely celebrate with the beloved community of reconcilers and bridge builders from my community! From the powerful word and blessing of Dr. Rev. Otis Moss lll, to the spoken word and songs of celebration to commemorate the legacy of Rev. Dr. MLK Jr.— my heart, mind and soul are full!

I teach because interacting with students in the classroom creates a living laboratory to develop the next generation of reconciliation leaders. As I hold this award this morning I remember my students, my teachers, my collaborators, my beloveds that have been on the journey of reconciliation work with me. I share this with you.

I love this quote from Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. engraved on my award: "An individual has not started living until they can rise above the narrow confines of their individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Lord, may we all rise above and press into the work of reconciliation driven by God's love for all people and humanity!

The JPC has been planning and preparing with the MLK Prayer Breakfast Committee for the upcoming 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Prayer Breakfast. Will you join the community, on January 17, 2022, virtually or in-person. More information and registration available on the website.

https://www.mlkprayerbreakfast.com/

MLKPrayerBreakfast Keynote Speaker View fullsize Dr. Rev. Otis Moss lllDr. Moss is part of a new generation of ministers committed to preaching a prophetic message of love and justice, which he believes are inseparable companions that form the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With a unique gift to communicate...