Healing racism a shared responsibility

 

[November 04, 2020] 

Editor’s note: While this nation is in upheaval trying to find a new way of being when it comes to racial equality, some Christians gathered recently to identify weaknesses in the church and how we might draw nearer to one another.

Much can be lost in tone and in summarization. We tried to capture the highlights, but would urge you to listen/watch the video for a fuller, more enriched understanding.

The panel discussion would make a great group study. We’d suggest that you watch in short segments as the three-hour event was rich in valuable life illustrations.

See and listen to “Unity in the Community” https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=
youtu.be&v=57glxGwbycg 
(panel begins at 00:09:17)


On Sunday, October 25th, Jefferson Street Christian Church hosted ‘Unity in the Community’ to discuss and ease racial tensions.

A six-person panel composed of Lincoln College administrators President Dr. David Gerlach, soon to be Vice President Dr. Donna Bradley; Preaching Minister Michael Mallick and Pastor Henry Johnson, Reverend Glenn Shelton; and women’s ministries leader, Ms. Black America Senior, Linda Randle, each answered questions as presented by moderator Minister Ken Kohler.

Kohler said racial tensions around the world are happening, even in the church. The question at the heart is how can we, the body of Christ, help create unity in our community when the world is actively working to divide us?

Kohler presented ideas and suggestions, which could be accepted or rejected, stipulating that all participants, including the audience, be respectful.
Kohler asked the panel to share their honest, truthful and heartfelt dialogue.

The first question was directed toward Johnson asking if he had experienced discrimination.

Johnson was chaplain for Logan Correctional Center. He was waiting in a space for prisoner release one day when a man came in and mistook Johnson as an inmate. He told the man, “Things are not always as they seem.”

Though Johnson was not dressed like an inmate, this man proceeded to handcuff Johnson and take him out of the institution.

Later, tucking it away in his heart Johnson realized maybe it was innocent because the man was used to picking up African American inmates.

When Kohler asked panelists how they have dealt with racial profiling, members shared various examples.

Johnson offered public situation. He was in a map shop in Schaumburg looking at globes. He noticed he was being followed. He felt angry and insulted and struck by the absurdity that he might try sticking a globe under his coat. He left the store. He said you must consider the source.

Randle recalled playing with a friend and not being allowed to go into her house for a drink of water. In stores, Randle has been ignored when she obviously needed help. It was not one isolated instance. Randle said it has been punitive. At school, she was told we don’t want your kind.

Bradley noted that she had grown up in the 1960s south in Memphis, Tennessee with signs saying colored and white. Even though the Civil Rights Act had passed, nothing changed.

When Bradley was sent to a private integrated school, she was not wanted. Her classmates mostly knew black people as their maids and butlers. At a reunion years later, classmates reminisced about horseback riding and skiing trips. Bradley told them she did not remember these trips because she was not invited. Her classmates told her their parents would not let them invite her.
 

That day, Bradley said there were tears and forgiveness and the group decided to start over from that point. When Bradley’s son died unexpectedly in 2009, she said these same classmates paid for the funeral.

Another experience Bradley had was in a restaurant where a man called her three-year-old child the “N” word. “I lost it!” The police were called, and then she was the one was asked to leave the restaurant. Bradley said she could write a book about the racism she has experienced.

Before moving on to the next question, Kohler wanted to define a few terms. He read dictionary definitions of racism, racial discrimination and tribalism.

Racism is “belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and those racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” It is also “behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief: racial discrimination or prejudice.” Finally, racism is “the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another.”

Tribalism is “the attitude and practice of harboring a strong feeling of loyalty or bonds to one tribe that excludes or even demonizes others who do not belong to that particular group or tribe.”

Next Kohler asked Reverend Shelton to describe his experiences with racial discrimination.

When Shelton had started pastoring Second Baptist Church in Lincoln, but had not yet moved here, he and his wife decided to go to the store to get something to eat. His wife had suggested going to the store in Springfield, but Shelton said they should spend the money in Lincoln.

Driving past Lincoln College on the way to [the old] Kroger, Shelton said law enforcement pulled out and started following them. Three squad cars followed them from the college to Kroger. Just before they got to the store, the first squad car turned its lights on and pulled them over in the parking lot.

Three squad cars surrounded them. Jumping out of the car, Shelton asked the police what the problem was. The police got out of their cars with flashlights and demanded identification from Shelton. He told the officers they may as well handcuff him because he would not allow the person shining the light in his wife’s face to scare her like that.

After radioing in for background check, the police told Shelton it was just a courtesy stop and said one of the lights in the back of Shelton’s license plate was out. Walking around the car, Shelton found both lights on, so he kicked the car, then opened the trunk and slammed it shut. The lights were still on and Shelton said there was nothing wrong with them, but the police said there had been.

After relaying the experience to someone he supervised, that person called then Sheriff Bob Patterson and Mayor Pete Andrews. The deputies had not written a report, so Sheriff Patterson made them write one. Mayor Andrews called Shelton and apologized. Shelton said that went a long way for him accepting that they knew what was going on.

Another time, Shelton was walking to church and crossed the lawn of the Safety Complex. A group of teenagers came up to him and said, “Get out of the road, nigger.” He chose not to say anything since he was headed to preach.

Many other instances have happened because Shelton spoke out against some of the treatment he has seen in Lincoln. Shelton became a thorn in some people’s flesh. Shelton has been targeted and his whole family has suffered because of it.

Shelton has been told to get out of town by people saying, “We don’t need your kind.” He refused to leave Lincoln because it is his home, and he will not let anyone cast him out regardless of what they say to him.

At age 58, Gerlach said he cannot think of a single time he was singled out for his race. Mallick likewise said much the same.

Next, Kohler asked President Gerlach about race relations at Lincoln College two years ago versus now. Now in his sixth year at the college, Gerlach said at the beginning of every year there are comments made. It is something Gerlach has worried about and addressed in the community at Lincoln City Council and Rotary meetings.

This fall was different. During Resident Assistants training, Gerlach said a couple trucks drove through campus with Confederate Flags and Trump signs, racing their engines. The Student Life employees filed reports and Gerlach was concerned.

There were also rough comments online about students slow walking across the street with some saying they would use the students as speed bumps. Gerlach said there were several dog whistle phrases along the lines of students being animals.

Lincoln College has many African American students. The campus has gained a good reputation as a caring community to which students feel welcome. So these comments bothered Gerlach.

He said many college students are slow walkers on their phones and in their own little bubble. No matter their color, Gerlach said, students are often focused on themselves as demonstrated by their many selfies.

Gerlach felt prompted to write an editorial in response to the nasty comments on social media. Sometimes speaking out draws further comments and Gerlach said someone drove through campus with a loudspeaker yelling, “Put your hands up.” Gerlach’s said it broke his heart and raises fears someone might take action.

Gerlach asked the audience to welcome Bradley, who is the new Academic Vice President.

As she moved to Lincoln just two weeks ago, Bradley said she had some trepidation after seeing Facebook comments. Bradley was disheartened by the comments. She got online and welcomed conversation, but has not heard from any of the commenters.

In his six years here, Mallick has also seen small segments of hate and racism. It is often based on ignorance, which Mallick said can be addressed. Even when based on ignorance, he said racism is still a sin.

Hate is fed by fear, and Johnson said racism is “fear in a higher octave.” Right now, the world is screaming. He said only the word of God that can quietly calm it down and begin to articulate the message of love. Johnson’s concern is that the church is not speaking loud enough to overcome the higher octave of hate.

All people have a sin nature in them. Shelton said even black folks need to confess, and he confesses that he is also at fault. He has decided not to blame white people for the racism of their forefathers. Making racism less visible is a shared responsibility.

Social media

Kohler asked how social media platforms have impacts racial discrimination and what one can to do change online bullying.

Bradley said social media has exacerbated racism. People say stuff they would not say in person. The voices of those for racism are louder than the voices of those against.

Bradley encouraged those who disagree with racist comments to speak up. She was encouraged to see comments of those who responded to the negative and toxic comments about LC students.

What Bradley wants is for people to step out of their comfort zones and get to know someone different from ourselves. And, for those in the church that choice should not differ just by race. If we stay in our Christian collective, who will we lead to Christ?

How do we open the race discussion?

There may be people who want to discuss racism, but may be afraid. Therefore, Kohler asked the panel what practical steps to take without potentially offending someone.

Johnson said we need to keep in mind that Romans 8:15 says we have not been given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of adoption by which we cry 'Abba Father.' Johnson said that scripture is important for remembering who we are. Those who know God can make a difference.

The first step is to acknowledge one’s own racism and fear, and confess our sins. Johnson said we must relate to one another as human beings created by God. We all suffer from racism no matter who we are. It affects all of us, and even Johnson said he has his own racial hatred and anger, for which he asks forgiveness.

Secondly, Johnson said, we need to recognize we all have value and cannot allow the enemy to strip us of our value or pit us against one another. God has poured himself into all individuals and we are all images of God. Johnson said the church must bring people together.

Racism and the church

In preparation for the evening Kohler read an article titled “Ethnicity, Tribalism, and Racism: A global challenge for the Christian Church and its mission.” It states that in 1993, Billy Graham called “racial and ethical resentment” the “number one social problem facing both the world and the church.”

In that article, Graham also said, “tragically, too often in the past, evangelical Christians have turned a blind eye to racism.” They have also “been willing to stand aside while others take the lead in racial reconciliation.” Many have said, “It was not our responsibility.”

After reading that statement, Kohler asked Mallick if he agreed with what Graham said.

Mallick had thought about the question and said the church has shied away from the issue of racial discrimination.

Mallick told a story from 1968 where a boy asked why Martin Luther King was shot. Jane Elliot, the teacher, asked him and other students if they wanted to understand discrimination. She split the class into blue and brown-eyed groups and the blue-eyed group was treated better in class. She later switched the groups, and the blue-eyed group did not like having the brown-eyed group get the preferential treatment.

While Mallick said he has lived a privileged life and it is hard for him to understand discrimination, he said the church must take the lead in changing that.

At a Promise Keeper’s rally years ago, Mallick said the speaker talked about racial reconciliation in the church and opening the doors to everyone.

In 1996, Mallick was preaching at his first church and asked the elders if he and a black preacher from a nearby church could switch pulpits for a day. The elders quickly shot him down and he realized racial discrimination was a problem in the church. Mallick said the church needs to address racism and speak out against it. Mallick said humans have created racism, which is a sin issue.

What are the barriers?

Addressing Randle, Kohler asked her how she feels the church is doing with the removal of barriers.

In some all-white churches Randle has been in, she has been ignored. In other churches people introduced themselves to Randle and asked her name. Additionally, Randle has been to churches claiming diversity but have no one on the stage or in the leadership who look like her.

Working with women’s ministries, Randle said she has worked with both races. However, she said there is often only one person of color in her small group.

Recently, Randle was asked to share her experiences with the group she meets with in Bloomington. Randle said it is our mandate to love. She has friends of other races who love her and take care of her. As Randle said, we are one race, the human race.

We need to be transformed, have transparency and be real. If we cannot be transparent, Randle asked, how we can change others. We all have misperceptions of one another. She wants people to see color and eliminate prejudices. Randle said we should invite someone different from us to lunch.

Shelton shared that transparency begins by being honest with yourself. In listening to others, he said, blacks are just as racist as white folks. In self-reflection, he was racist, but he knows the Lord will forgive him of his sins and cleanse him from all unrighteousness.

The answer to racism is Jesus. As individuals, Shelton said, we are the church and the ones’ who make the difference. He reminded everyone of words to a song, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Johnson said we must take responsibility in getting to know one another.

Shelton illustrated the value of self-examination. Because he knows God’s forgiveness through confession (1John 1:9) of his own sin of racism, he knows he has been cleansed of all unrighteousness. And now he is free to pursue fellowship saying, I am going to walk the miles with you, share the lows with you, and will turn the other cheek and love you no matter what you do to me. This is a new gift he has received from God because of his repentance.

Shelton recognized that racism is here to the end when Jesus returns, but it is Jesus through individuals who make the difference in the now. But we must get to know each other for that to happen.
Later, Shelton would emphasize, “Put others interests above your own.”

Quoting Martin Luther King, Shelton said; don’t judge children by their color, but by the content of their character.

Gerlach said if we do not get together, the future will be uncomfortable because all races will be together for eternity. Revelations 7:9 says, “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue standing before the Lamb.”

For Bradley, one question is how you can say you love God if you do not love people. Our world views are based on our life experiences. If we conclude what all of one group is like after one negative experience, Bradley said, that is the seed of racism.

In the Criminal Justice classes Bradley teaches, her students often say they do not like the police. But their view may be based on one negative experience. Bradley’s mother taught her not to make decisions about people based on the color of their skin and she has taught her children the same.

Tribalism

Kohler asked Johnson about tribalism and whether he saw tribalism and race working in the prison system.

In prison, Johnson said tribalism is seen in the interaction between security and gangs. Security is maintained by the exercise of power. Prison tribalism can be defined by ‘them versus us’ or the ‘in versus the out’ group.

In our American government system we have always valued the peaceful transition of power from President to President. However, Johnson said for the first time in his memory that has been called into question because of tribalism that says my group is not willing to share with your group.

Other countries have various names for their tribes.

In America, Johnson said black and white have become social constructs to maintain, acquire and exercise power of one group over the other.

We are all created equal with certain inalienable rights, which Johnson said has kept our country from blowing up. However, we are currently on the brink of collapse because of tribalism.

Gerlach said Satan uses divisiveness to squash the church and pull us apart. However, Christ’s kingdom will come regardless of what happens to the United States.

Mallick added, “Will the gates of Hell prevail against America,” possibly, probably, but will not prevail against the church. We as followers of Jesus need to be sharing love, grace, forgiveness, care... for one another.

Questions from the audience

The first question was from Deb Parker, who lives near Lincoln College. Parker said she had no idea about recent situations until she saw President Gerlach’s editorial. She had heard hateful comments were made and asked whether the police are aware of it.

The issue was reported to the police by Gerlach, but he said people have the freedom to say what they want.

Bradley said hate speech is not illegal, but hate speech inciting violence is. Until something happens, it is just speech.

When she does not speak out against racism, Parker said she has been told people in the black community might think she is siding with racists. She also has been told the churches are not stepping up.
Parker asked what more we can do for unity in the community.

Earlier in the semester, Gerlach said members of Jeff Street wrote kind words on the sidewalk at Lincoln College. Another time, members of Lincoln Christian Church bought students ice cream.

Speak up and do the right things

Correcting people’s ignorant comments is something Bradley said we should do.

Kohler asked about the legal ramifications of movements that cause riots and protests.

Some events today are reminiscent of what happened in the Civil Rights Era and Bradley is saddened we still deal with it. Then and now, Bradley said older people should explain the process of changing policy through voting. We must teach younger generations to change laws from inside the system.

Riots are unfortunate consequences of some events, but Bradley said some go from city to city to incite riots. When Bradley lived in the St. Louis area and there were riots after the Michael Brown case, she said many involved in them were not from St. Louis.

Bradley called these schemes demonic as they move toward destruction. Racism is a moral issue, and the sin nature fights against harmony with all people.

Audience member Dale Ridgway worked in the prison system for years where one black person there accused him of being racist. Noting that most of the people in the audience were white, Ridgway asked how to bring more Black or Hispanic people into churches.

Mallick said it takes intentionality: making friends, using our voices, showing love and opening doors.

When Shelton moved here many years ago, he said Second Baptist became popular and many white people came to the church. Over time, the number of white people started dropping due to peer pressure. Kids being asked why they were going to that black church and told they were going to become a nigger lover.

Shelton hosted dinner on MLK’s birthday for years and had preachers from the local ministerial alliance there speaking, but their church members did not attend. Members of one church told their minister they would never set foot in a black church.

Shelton said we should get to know someone before passing judgement.

Shelton has met with a group of men from Jeff Street every Saturday for years and said they have helped him grow spiritually.

Several LC basketball players have been attending Second Baptist. Gerlach said they are developing relationships with the members.

Nancy Otto, who is half Irish, said she has experienced discrimination and appreciates hearing discrimination works both ways. She asked about lessons panel members could possibly share from experiences of their own racist feelings. She said everyone in the United States needs to be candid about their own feelings.

Corporate repentance is something Shelton said is needed. They have influence because they employ people. By way of example he heard about racism between students at the high school. He called the principal at the time. The principal told him she would talk to the teachers. Shelton said the teachers might deny it happened and asked to talk to black and white students.

He started a talk group for students with pizza and chicken wings to make connections.

Retired teachers told Shelton racism had been occurring for years at the school, but they were told not to speak against it. He said corporate leaders need to stop racism.

Listen to others

At the prison, Johnson taught cultural diversity. For example, Irish Americans were told they were not wanted in America. Johnson said many groups have been discriminated against and endured social injustice, citing most recently the Anti-Semitic and Islamic phobia against people from the Middle East. He noted leaders through history who stood up to make change.

He said social injustice happens to all of us. Recognizing others’ journeys and coming together may be the beginning of healing.

Bradley is in a small group with white women. One woman told Bradley she was afraid of black women due to being bullied by a black girl as a child. The woman’s racism was based on fear. Bradley wants others to understand experiences like being followed around in a store.

At a work conference one of Otto’s sisters attended years ago, Otto said her sister was the only white woman in a group of black women and men. Her sister was trying to fit in with the others. It had been agreed upon that they would all dine together that evening and the others told Otto’s sister they would come get her. However, at dinnertime she was intentionally left behind. Though she felt unwanted by the group, her sister went downstairs to the hotel restaurant the others were eating in and joined them.

Bradley agreed, exclusion based on race is wrong no matter what.

To brainstorm solutions to some of these issues, Bradley said student leaders from the college met with the Lincoln Police Department recently. They would next meet with local business owners, then government officials and eventually citizens.

Community member Ariel Dilworth asked Pastor Shelton if his apology might come across as an excuse for white evangelicals to say all is okay. She said too many in American churches have not spoken up against racism and we need to come face to face with our sins.

Dilworth had several questions:

If she does not feel indignations combined with compassion, how can unity happen?

Until we can get Christians to understand communal and historical sin, how can we make unity happen?

How can we unravel this mess?

Repentance

While saying these were valid questions, Shelton said no matter your religious background, it does not make any difference if you do not repent of your sin nature. Without that, there will be no hope for reconciliation. Shelton said we need to listen and he feels the best is yet to come.

Randle said it starts with you. She said looking at Peter and the Gentiles is a good comparison. Communicating and getting to know people also helps.

The Holy Spirit will convict you and heal, the gospel will transform the heart. Randle said we need to take steps of faith, be like Christ in action and get out of our comfort zones. We are more alike because of Jesus blood.

Kohler said the church does not want to fall into the sin of commission, nor the sin of omission when we do what we shouldn’t or don’t do what we should. He wants to see open, honest and authentic dialogue.

Children

One audience member said she has bi-racial grandchildren. One was called the “n” word by a white child and it broke her heart. Her grandson said he did not understand because he is brown. She asked what to do with children and where teaching them starts.

Children are resilient, but, Johnson said, we cannot protect them from everything. His daughter was once spat on by another child, and he told the mother to keep her son away from his daughter.

Johnson and his wife taught their daughter about her heritage, but also instilled in her an appreciation for all people. We can affirm our children and Johnson told the audience member that her listening to her grandson will help carry him forward.

We are created in God’s image, Mallick said, we need to let kids know they are loved and special.
Parents must break the cycle of racism. Bradley said she asks students what their parents have taught them about police and where they should not be.

We are indoctrinated to see skin color. However, Shelton said we must teach our children that color does not matter and the shade of skin does not matter. He has helped raise many surrogate children of all races.

We celebrate and appreciate flower gardens, Johnson longs for the day we can celebrate the variety of humanity. One definition of humanity is a beautiful expression of what it means to be human in this world with all its variety.

Another community member said he felt he experienced reverse discrimination in college. White kids played on one court and black kids on another. Finally, he got to play on the other team. His nephew wanted to play on the Lincoln College soccer team but was told there may not be a spot for him and asked President Gerlach why that happened.

Gerlach said the soccer team has many international students on it but acknowledged the issue. Coaches may have their own perspective on talent and Gerlach said he has had recruiting issues. Gerlach wants students from everywhere.

The last audience member to speak said her granddaughter was slapped around by black kids on her bus, but it stopped after prayers. She prays for unity and said Christians should step up.

In his final question, Kohler asked what steps we can take to create authentic change.

Bradley said we need to be intentional about getting to know someone who does not look like us.

Gerlach answered in Jesus two commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.

Getting out of comfort zones is something Johnson wants to see. He said we should worship together, share meals, learn a new language and see the world according to John 3:16. God came to save everyone.

Mallick’s answered, all are special in God’s eyes. He said we need to teach others that God shows no partiality and make friends with someone different from us.

Randle said we need find opportunities with people. Ask God to lead you by the Spirit into a ministry of reconciliation. Teach your children and grandchildren to pray.

Lastly, Shelton said we should get to know each other and walk together down the narrow straight way that leads to eternal life. Walking together (and he named those with him on the panel) will attract people to the light. He said walking together is going to attract others and begin to break down this gridlock that we have before us.

Kohler drew the evening to a close with two Bible passages. From John 17 where Jesus prayed for those who would believe in him that they would be one as we are one. His prayer was for everyone to be brought to complete unity.

The other passage was Romans 12:2, which says, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.


In a closing prayer, Kohler thanked God for being able to share the message and that we would all be one. He prayed our behaviors would match our words, creating unity in a divisive world and glorify God.

[Angela Reiners]

About the panelists:

Dr. Donna Bradley:

Dr. Bradley currently serves as lead faculty for Criminal Justice at Lincoln College. In January, she will assume the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Bradley graduated from Brown University with a BA in Political Science, Howard University School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree, Columbia College with a Master’s in Criminal Justice, and Capella University with a PhD in Public Safety and Criminal Justice. Dr. Bradley is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Instructional Leadership with a focus on Higher Education, her third career. Her first career was an attorney and her second, inner city ministry.
 

Dr. David Gerlach:

Dr. David Gerlach is the 22nd president of Lincoln College, a liberal arts college with campuses in Lincoln and Normal, Il. Dr. Gerlach has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Syracuse University in Higher Education, a Master degree in Education from St. Lawrence University, a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College, and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration from SUNY Canton.

He and his wife, Lisa, have two grown children, one grandson, and are enjoying central Illinois.


Pastor Henry Johnson:

Henry Johnson is a graduate of Lincoln Christian University and Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling.

Johnson served as chaplain at Logan Correctional Center for 28 years. During his tenure as chaplain, he served for four years as the President of the Illinois State Association of Chaplains. Johnson served as Chairman of the Elder Board for three years at Jefferson Street Christian Church.

He is currently serving as Pastor of Eminence Christian Church, Atlanta, Il.

Henry has been married for 50 years to his beautiful wife Ida, and they have a daughter, Eboni, who is married and Practicing Clinical Psychology in Nashville, TN


Pastor Michael Mallick:

Michael and his wife Beth have six children combined, all living across the United States. They have ministered at Jeff Street for six years. Michael and Beth are natives of central Illinois.

Mallick has served as a minister for 27 years in churches in Illinois, Florida, and Oklahoma. He is a 1993 graduate of Lincoln Christian College where he received his B.A. in Christian Ministries majoring in preaching. He has also completed several hours towards a Master’s degree.

Along with a deep passion for preaching God's Word Mallick enjoys reading, including authoring a children’s book, running, hiking, fishing, and about any outdoor activity. Mallick has completed numerous marathons, half marathons and 5K races.

Ms. Linda Randle:

Linda Randle earned an undergraduate degree from ISU in Public Relations and a Masters in Spiritual Formation from Lincoln Christian University. She is employed at a local insurance company in Bloomington, IL.

Randle is the mother of two adult children and a grandmother of four.

Her passion is to see women develop an intimate relationship with Christ. Randle has been involved in women's ministry in various capacities since 2001.
Currently, Randle serves as a small women's group co-leader.

She was recently crowned as Ms. Black America Senior 2019 on September 20, 2020.


Reverend Glenn Shelton:

Reverend Glenn Shelton has a Bachelors In Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute. He is a former alderman for the city of Lincoln. He is a Chartered Board Member for the YMCA in Lincoln, former Chairman, Family Selection Committee at Habitat for Humanity. Reverend Shelton is a former trustee on the board at Lincoln College.

Reverend Shelton is a former cryptographic operator in the U.S. Air Force and was a Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Lincoln for 36 years.

He has been married to his wife Ginger since 1963. He has six children, 16 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.