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Faith that worksCircle Urban Ministries and the Rock of our Salvation Church have been joined in a faith-and-works partnership since the Rock Church began in 1983. While the Rock proclaims our faith in Jesus Christ, Circle reaches out with practical acts of service to show our faith is real. The Rock-Circle partnership began with a friendship between Raleigh B. Washington (pastor of Rock Church) and Glen Kehrein (executive director of Circle) and now continues under the leadership of Glen and Raleigh's younger brother, Abraham Lincoln Washington. Pastor Washington holds the seat of board president at Circle and Glen Kehrein is an elder at Rock Church. Circle and Rock share facilities and share staff in some of our programs, but our budget and governing boards are separate. Fudge Ripple BlendRacial reconciliation has been an important part of Circle since its founding, but the effort took a leap with the founding of Rock Church in 1983. Since that time, Rock Church has given spiritual direction and both ministries have sought to live out the principles of a blended body. In 1993, Glen co-authored Breaking Down Walls with Raleigh Washington. The eight principles of reconciliation presented in BDW were gleaned from their years in ministry together. The staff and volunteers of Circle and the Rock Church represent a racial diversity that we are determined to nurture by savoring our differences while capitalizing on our commonality in Christ. |
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Glen's Story "Childhood experiences create a worldview. My worldview was painted on a Norman Rockwell canvas of American life, with its near total ethnic/social isolation. The population of Ripon, Wisconsin has not changed much in the seventy years since they built the 'Rippin Good' Cookie Factory and Green Giant plant. In fact, only a few thousand more people were added since a handful of political malcontents formed the upstart Republican Party in a little clapboard school house that now stands as a sacred shrine to the 'party of Lincoln and Reagan.'A small town heritage and the spiritually rich Christian family into which I was born, created a view that life that was just and fair and people got what they deserved. My blue-collar father worked hard and we got what he supplied. No more, but no less. It was enough. Love was abundant with truth, justice and the American way thrown on top. I suppose I felt this pretty much applied across the board in this great land of ours. But it did not occupy much of my conscious thought until I left my cocoon for the big city of Chicago in the radical '60s. Little did I know that I was beginning a journey - a collision course of sorts that brought my rural republicanism up against race riots, and my basic Protestantism against black power. My Christian worldview was in for a rude shock, one from which I have yet to recover as I journey on a 'road less traveled.' For nearly the last thirty years my wife Lonni and I have lived, raised a family and built a ministry in what is commonly called 'the ghetto.' Our holistic ministry experience, family experiences and friendships forged are from both sides of the racial divide. Our life journey has been one of finding Christ in the midst of a fallen world." Accomplishments: Degrees from:
Honorary Doctorate in Peacemaking, Westminster College 1996: First American (along with Raleigh Washington) to receive this honor. Fellow past recipients include Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire of Northern Ireland and Leah Rabin, wife of slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Founding board member Christian Community Development Association, 1988 to present
Published Works: Co-Authored:
Chapter Contributions in:
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Lincoln's Story "I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior at the age of 15 and immediately engrossed myself in the study of God's Holy Word. I joined Philippian Community Church in Jacksonville, Florida and studied under the tutelage of Dr. Lawrence C. Callahan. When I was 17, God called me to minister and I began a Bible study class in my high school that attracted over twenty of my classmates. I remained at Philippian Church until 1991, serving as an elder; leading youth ministers and revivals; teaching Sunday school and other duties.During that time, I married a beautiful lady, Lisa, who has been my helpmate for the last 13 years. We had two wonderful children in Florida, Isaac and Christine. Education: Florida Community College: two years of classes in general studies Philippian Institute of Biblical Studies: Completion of theological training and two years of teaching Moody Bible Institute: furthered training with two years of pastoral courses |
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