About Us > Philosophy of Ministry

Faith that works

Circle 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 (founding pastor of Rock Church) and Glen Kehrein (executive director of Circle).

Pastor Raleigh and Glen
   
 
It now continues under the leadership of Glen and Raleigh's younger brother, Abraham Lincoln Washington. Pastor ‘Linc’ holds the seat of board president at Circle and Glen Kehrein is an elder at Rock Church. Circle and Rock share facilities, but our budget and governing boards are separate.
   
Pastor Lincoln and Glen
    
   

Fudge Ripple Blend

Racial 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 both ministries have sought to live out the principles of a blended body. In 1993, Glen and Raleigh co-authored Breaking Down Walls (book is pictured below, to purchase it email us: info@circleurban.org) outlining practical steps to work toward racial reconciliation.

The Eight Principles of Reconciliation presented in the book 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.

Eight Principles of Reconciliation
The following eight principles are presented in the book Breaking Down Walls, by Glen Kehrein and Raleigh Washington. Each one is listed below with a key biblical verse relevant to the principle.
1. Commitment to Relationship
Racial reconciliation is built upon the foundation of committed relationships. (Ruth 1:16)
2. Intentionality
The purposeful, positive, and planned activity that facilitates reconciliation. (Eph. 2:14-15)
3. Sincerity
The willingness to be vulnerable, including the self-disclosure of feelings, attitudes, differences, and perceptions, with the goal of resolution and building trust. (John 15:15)
4. Sensitivity
The intentional acquisition of knowledge in order to relate empathetically to a person of a different race and culture. (Eph. 4:15-16)
5. Interdependence
Interdependence recognizes our differences but realizes that we each offer something that the other person needs, resulting in equality in the relationship. (2 Cor. 8:12-14)
6. Sacrifice
The willingness to relinquish an established status or position to genuinely adopt a lesser position in order to facilitate a cross-cultural relationship. (Phil. 2:3-4)
7. Empowerment
The use of repentance and forgivenesss to create complete freedom in a cross-cultural relationship. (2 Cor. 8:9)
8. Call
We are all called to be involved in the ministry of reconciliation, but some are gifted with a special call to be racial reconcilers. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)