Success Story: Well Known African-American Bible Teacher Was Terrified at First of Pastoring a Mostly White Church in Georgia
"The way this church has embraced me and my family, I believe God is writing the story on Fellowship, and this is only the first couple of chapters."
(Atlanta, Ga.)—Crawford Loritts is one of the most prominent Bible teachers in America. He has spoken before huge, diverse crowds at venues such as Promise Keepers, Campus Crusade for Christ and three Super Bowls. (Photo: Elissa Eubanks/Staff)
As an African-American, Loritts also has long believed in integration, not only in the public realm but in the Body of Christ as well. He is quoted as saying an integrated church is a "byproduct of having an authentic, Christ-centered church ... because it is Christ-like and because it is the right thing to do. It can become a picture of what the church of God should be, a visible model of our oneness in Christ."
It only stands to reason, therefore, that Loritts would have had no reservations when he was asked two years ago to be the senior pastor at Fellowship Bible church whose membership was 99% white. Not so at first, says Loritts. The deep fears of having close relationships with white folks that surfaced when he was offered the position surprised even him.
Said Loritts: "I can't explain how deep the fear was that I was wrestling with on Sunday mornings...I kept telling myself, 'I'm not afraid of whites.' "
After two years, however, Loritts is excited about what has happened. "The way this church has embraced me and my family, I believe God is writing the story on Fellowship, and this is only the first couple of chapters."
Read more about the impact Loritts is having on the church, follow the link provided below.
