Mere Missions

T he K ingdom : E mbrace • 189

screaming to, “Get the dogs off me! Get the dogs off me!” Not too long after that, the killing shots were heard. Come to find out, the shots were fired into his back, while he laid sprawled out on the wooden floor, face down. It was an injustice that was the spark to ignite the community in outrage. They demanded justice. Serving on the Chief of Police’s Community Task Force, I began to visit the various community gatherings to listen, and when received, to pray and lend support. One such gathering, was the pastors, elders, leaders from the African American community. A gathering in which I would feel at home with my spiritual family. It was a needed time to embrace as one family and priesthood under the banner of the Lord Jesus. The church where the gathering took place was not far from where I lived. The parking lot was full. As I walked into the sacred walls of the church, the place was packed and the conversations loud and intense. Over 150 gathered that afternoon. I saw many pastors that I knew and I was looking forward to the time of prayer, discussion, and possible outcomes. It was like being with family, my spiritual family. As the meeting was getting ready to start, I looked for an open spot to sit in one of the wooden pews. I was the only white brother in the group. Things were beginning to quiet down when two Sergeants-at-Arms walked off the front platform and began to make their way my direction. That’s when it became quiet. Everyone, myself included, knew something was up but we didn’t know what exactly. The two made their way down the pew behind me, while politely excusing themselves. All of a sudden, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Reverend Engel?” Turning around, with a look of bewilderment, I said, “Yes?” “We would like for you to quietly leave our assembly as we discuss this injustice done to one of our black brothers.” “What?” I replied in disbelief. “This gathering is only for black brothers.” “But aren’t I a brother in Christ? Don’t we serve and pray to the same Lord? I live in this community.