Tonight, leading megachurch pastors John Gray, Steven Furtick, and Levi Lusko will discuss race, politics, and religion in South Carolina.
The event, which will be held at Relentless Church where Gray is the senior pastor, is called “The Bridge – A Conversation on Race, Politics, Culture and the Role of the Church.”
Gray, the event’s organizer, explained how the name speaks to the ultimate objective of the conversation.
“The premise behind The Bridge is a bridge is something that connects two disparate places that otherwise wouldn’t be able to meet,” Gray stated. “A bridge saves time and gives people access to harder to reach area. We have too many walls, we need bridge.”
Unlike most services at the Greenville church, this event will not be live streamed for viewers.
“PLEASE PLEASE BE IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE THIS WILL NOT BE LIVE-STREAMED! NO INTERNET AND SNEAKING AND VIDEOING FROM YOUR PHONE EITHER! Lol!” Gray warned on Instagram.
Although the event will not be streamed, it will be filmed and is expected to be screened in theaters in early 2019.
Gray, who earlier this year found himself in the middle of controversy after he and other black pastors met with the president, acknowledges that one conversation alone will not adequately address the issues. However, he sees this event as a starting point.
“The first thing is an honest self-assessment, do you have any personal prejudices that don’t line up with the reality of your faith,” Gray said. “There are people who say they’re Christians but then they hate people, you don’t get to do that, you see? Because Jesus didn’t hate people.”
In addition to the conversation, the event will provide audience members with an opportunity to connect with nonprofits that help the community.
Doors open at 6:30, and you only need to bring a canned food item for admission.
(image via Instagram)