The pain related to racial injustice in the US found its voice in recent weeks and we have all been challenged to listen and learn from the experience of our Black friends and neighbors. As leaders, our challenge is to see the air we breathe and the water we swim in, then respond with empathy and action while inviting others to do the same.
Our friend Pastor Johnny Gentry sat down to talk with us about his experience and blessed us with his vulnerability and courage. Pastor Johnny is lead pastor, apostle and visionary at Free Indeed Church International in Northeast Houston and he is the CEO and founder of Community Works CDC. He leads side-by-side with his wife Jenice Gentry. They have four children.
We hope you’ll listen in.
Conversation Overview
- Pastor Johnny tells the story of his experience with racism
- Looking at systemic racism
- Racism and trauma
- How to listen better
- Beyond protesting, how to work for positive change
Resources:
Visit https://www.communityworkscdc.org/ to learn more about Pastor Johnny’s nonprofit, Community Works CDC, a faith-based community outreach ministry committed to At-Risk Youth, Ex-offender Re-entry and Economic Redevelopment in Northeast Houston.
More information about Pastor Johnny’s church can be found at http://freeindeedchurch.org
About Johnny Gentry III
Pastor Johnny was born in Houston and raised in California. After hitting rock bottom and facing a prison sentence, he called on the name of Jesus Christ and experienced a spiritual awakening. He has since been ordained as an elder in 2001 and an apostle in 2011, being blessed with 20 years of ministry and community outreach. Pastor Johnny has experience as a certified chemical dependency counselor, at-risk youth intervention, and program director for ex-offenders and men in recovery from drug addiction. He is apostle, visionary, and lead pastor of Free Indeed Church International in Northeast Houston. Pastor Johnny is President and CEO of Community Works CDC, a faith-based nonprofit community outreach ministry committed to At-Risk Youth, Ex-Offender Re-Entry and Economic Redevelopment in Northeast Houston. He has been married to Jenice for 20 years, and together they are raising their four children, serving the Free Indeed Church and their community.
Listen to the other 2 episodes in this series:
- How We Got Here: Reflecting on our learning about race
- Changing Our Minds: How learning to see God and the world differently changed our view on race
Thank you for listening. If you enjoy listening to The Leader’s Journey Podcast, the best way to support us is to take just a few seconds and leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes or share it with your friends on Facebook … Thank you!
