Wayne Gordon - Do All Lives Matter?: The Issues We Can No Longer Ignore and the Solutions We All Long for

Theres the old freedom song that goes, Until the killing of black men is as important as the killing of white men, we who believe in freedom cannot rest. This book is a powerful freedom song from two veterans of the movement. It is a reminder that until black lives matter, the idea that all lives matter is still just an aspiration.

Shane Claiborne , author; activist

This is an important book written by men who have given their entire lives to the ministry of reconciliation. I read it straight through and was both challenged and inspired! You will be too.

Bill Hybels , senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church; founder, Global Leadership Summit

Wayne Gordon and John Perkins have given their lives to racial reconciliation and to working out the implications of the gospel for community life in the city of God. Here they speak a prophetic word about Americas racial strifepast and presentand offer a hopeful vision for a future where black lives (and all lives) matter. As close friends in Christian leadership, these two friends have written a book that is especially important for white evangelicals to read and discuss.

Philip Ryken , president, Wheaton College

An excellent book at a critical time. Candid, compassionate, confrontational. It offers a practical path toward greater mutual understanding and reconciliation in a nation whose racial wounds have once again been laid bare.

Bob Lupton , founder, FCS Urban Ministries Atlanta; author, Toxic Charity

Do All Lives Matter? addresses the most pressing issue of our day: Do black lives, and the lives of people of color, matter in our society? Instead of offering easy answers, John and Coach provide us with biblical and practical insights they have been living out for decades that challenge us to reject hate and work to dismantle racism in our neighborhoods and in our nation. Timely and powerful.

Noel Castellanos , president, Christian Community Development Association

There has never been a moment in US history when our nation has proclaimed that all lives do not matter. John Perkins and Wayne Gordon, two of the most significant leaders in the evangelical movement and quest for biblical compassion and justice, present a cogent and passionate argument that throughout US history, and within our current social reality, our nation has repeatedly asserted that black lives do not matter. This timely book reminds twenty-first-century US Christians of the need to proclaim a prophetic truth in the midst of troubled times. For the sake of the name of our Savior, please read and receive the key message of this important work.

Soong- Chan Rah , professor of church growth and evangelism, North Park Theological Seminary; author, Prophetic Lament and Return to Justice

Open this book to read about courage; about biblical conviction; about steely determination; about a refusal to back down; about pain, grief, and tears; and keep reading because in this book you will eventually see that Wayne Gordon and John Perkins know that todays pain can be redeemed by kingdom hope.

Scot McKnight , Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary

Dealing with a topic that all too often has been called forth because of violence, Coach Wayne Gordon and Dr. John Perkins have given us a book of hope. That is not to say that it glosses over the injustices and fears that are a part of our society. Far from it. But the book provides compelling stories that will deepen our understanding across the racial divides that have been and still are in our countryif we will listen to the stories well. It has practical helps that, empowered by the work of the God who loves to heal broken things in his world, could bring us closer together as a people. Dr. Perkins and Coach Gordon have lived lives committed to reconciliation. Together they have given us a book that could help us live in a way that declares all lives truly matter in a world in which some lives, particularly those embodied by people of color, dont seem to matter. I recommend it highly to you.

Greg Waybright , senior pastor, Lake Avenue Church

I must admit that words cannot express and thoughts cannot bring to ones imagination how relevant this book is for such a time as this. In this work John and Wayne have challenged us both individually and as a nation to truly understand that we have a date with destiny. This destiny has arrived, and we must ask ourselves, Are we willing to be teachable and humble enough to learn from one another and appreciate each others journey? This book echoes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., We must come together as brothers or we will perish as fools.

Carey Casey , ambassador for fathers, National Center for Fathering

This book helps us understand why Black Lives Matter really means all lives matter. The lives that have mattered least in human society will be the lives that must matter most in pursuit of justice and the kingdom of God. John and Coach share the difficult things we must talk about before we can talk about true reconciliation.

Marshall Hatch , senior pastor, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago

All lives matter, but when some come to believe they matter less, that theyre invisible or a problem, Gods people need to talkand even more, to listen. John Perkins and Wayne Gordon speak from the heart, and my heart needs to listen, and learn, and act. Personal, practical, passionate, faithful! I urge my fellow followers of Christ to read this and go beyond reading, to reach beyond comfort, so race might not be allowed the last word.

John Crosby , senior pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina, Minnesota

Three score and seven years ago my parents brought forth in Evanston a new baby, conceived in Manhasset and dedicated to the proposition that all babies are important. Now we have a wonderful book, Do All Lives Matter? by Wayne Gordon and John Perkins. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should read this.

Pat McCaskey , vice president, Chicago Bears

This book is a great tool in our struggle to stop prejudice, racism, and senseless violence in our country. Reading this will help us get on the journey of reconciliation and building the Beloved Community where we treat each other with the respect and reverence that demonstrate that all our lives matter.

Rev. Michael L. Pfleger , pastor, Faith Community of St. Sabina

Such a good word for so crucial a time in the church and in our nation! Bravo, Coach and JP! The principles of this book have been forged in the crucible of your lives for decades and give us hope to press on despite the challenges. God give us those tears of compassion, heartfelt prayer, and practical neighbor-love that you call us to. May all lives matter to us as they do to him!