Report of the Pastor of Outreach and Justice

Dr. Dontá McGilvery

Summary:

1. Kicked start the first Outreach and Justice ministry. 2. 14 Members. 3 of the 14 are non-FIBC members. 3. Experienced (love and hate) mail/calls for the statement Dr. Dontâ made to the Press about why we should Protest against the Superbowl in AZ. 4. Drama ministry partnered with worship and arts ministry to perform the Last Supper play. 5. Scholarship ministry received approval to offer scholarship outside FIBC. 6. Scholarship ministry received approval to have scholarship checks directly to students as opposed of the institution 7. O&J team began Evangelism training. 8. O&J team joined Grace Community Church to watch film about the church’s role in the push for equality. The two churches also talked about a partnership to discuss Race Reconciliation program led by “Be The Bridge” curriculum. 9. Applied and received a $15,000 grant to increase Black Voter turnout in AZ. 10. O&J team launched several campaigns to help increase voter turnout. 11. O&J team hosted the Department of Justice “United Against Hate” community forum.

First quarter: January – March

1. Joined many justice orgs and faith-based orgs in AZ for the MLK march for Voting Rights (With MLK III, his wife Arndrea, and their daughter, Yolanda). 2. Joined other faith-based orgs to protest the Superbowl from coming to AZ. Statement by Dr. Dontá was shared in many press releases. 3. Joined the Rev. Al Sharpton (on Jan. 25) and his National Action Network for a national planning meeting on the March from Selma to Montgomery, AL. 4. Welcomed Arizona Faith Network to FIBC in order to collect signature to get important proposition on the election Ballot.

Second quarter: April–June

1. End of June, was the official launch day people were able to sign up for the O&J ministry. 2. Drama ministry joined the music and worship arts ministry to perform a theatrical production of the 12 Disciples at the Last Supper. 3. Oversaw the library ministry in the creation of their W.I.G. and their desire to add scholarships for the public (non-FIBC members).

Third Quarter: July–September

1. Began Evangelism training focused on (Telling your story and evangelism tools; Cross Cultural Evangelism; and Church Culture, Discipleship, and Leadership) 2. Discussed “Race Reconciliation” opportunities between Grace Community Church and Peace Lutheran Church. 3. Began overseeing the Men’s Ministry. 4. Gathered young men (7 young men) to join with 7 men from the Men’s ministry to discuss what men’s ministry may look like. 5. Hosted Mayo Clinic to the church to conduct Fit Study on colorectal cancer.

Fourth Quarter: October–December

1. Black Voters Matter initiative: Applied and received the $15k grant to increase Black voter turnout in AZ. 2. Faiths United to Save Our Democracy: Led by Dr. Barbra Williams-Skinner’s FUSD institute. The goal was to help increase voter turnout in AZ and equip Arizonians with the knowledge to assist them in becoming informed voters. 3. Joined the Youth “Ministry’s Trunk or Treat” 4. Attended a Mayo Clinic dinner to learn about Mayo’s initiative to connect with churches and orgs in the community. Learned about other justice and health orgs in AZ that could be potential partners with FIBC. 5. In November, Hosted Mayo Clinic to the church to conduct Fit Study on colorectal cancer. 6. At the start of December, FIBC’s O & J team hosted the United Against Hate community discussion in the Hope Center Gym. The nationwide initiative, launched by The United States’ Department of Justice, aims to combat unlawful acts of hate faced primarily in marginalized communities.

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Dontá McGilvery