Good Neighbors Racial Healing Initiative
Healing Racial Trauma. Building Beloved Community. Embodying Justice and Shalom
Welcome to the Good Neighbors Racial Healing Initiative.
The Good Neighbors Racial Healing Initiative (GNRHI) is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to healing racial trauma and fostering reconciliation within the church and beyond. Rooted in the transformative power of the Gospel, we bring together Christians from diverse denominations and ethnic backgrounds—especially White and Black Christians—to journey toward wholeness, unity, and justice..
Why Racial Healing Matters?
Racial Healing Matters to God and Important for Christian Community
The wounds of racial trauma run deep, affecting not only individuals but entire communities. These wounds are not just historical—they live within our bodies, shaping how we relate to ourselves, one another, and God. Generations of systemic racism have created divisions that continue to impact the church, making authentic relationships and true reconciliation difficult.
Yet, we are not without hope. The Gospel calls us to confront these wounds with courage and compassion. Like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable (Luke 10:25–37), we are called to see, stop, and care for one another’s pain, bringing the healing love of Christ to the broken places in our world.
Our Core Ministries
1. The Good Neighbors Racial Healing Journey
The Good Neighbors Racial Healing Journey is a 10-month program designed to foster racial healing and reconciliation. This intentional journey brings together 12 participants (6 White and 6 BIPOC) to:
- Share their stories of pain and hope.
- Engage in spiritual and somatic practices to process trauma.
- Build a community grounded in justice and racial Shalom.
Guided by Healing Griots, participants embark on a transformative process of confronting systemic injustice, unlearning harmful narratives, and cultivating authentic relationships.
2. Good Neighbors Community Garden
The Good Neighbors Community Garden is a sacred space for racial healing, environmental justice, and community restoration. By reclaiming urban land, we address food insecurity, create opportunities for embodied healing, and build connections across racial and cultural divides.
3. Justice and Racial Shalom Urban Community Work
Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, our Justice and Racial Shalom Work tackles systemic issues that perpetuate racial trauma, such as housing segregation, economic inequality, and criminal justice disparities. Partnering with churches and community organizations, we strive to build systems that reflect God’s vision of equity and Shalom.
Inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan
The name Good Neighbors comes from Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), a story that challenges us to break through cultural and racial barriers to care for one another with radical compassion. Just as the Samaritan saw and responded to the wounds of the man on the roadside, we are called to see and respond to the wounds caused by racial trauma—both in individuals and in the systems that shape our communities.
Like the Samaritan, we believe healing requires us to:
Commit to Healing: Work toward lasting reconciliation and restoration in our relationships and communities.ss
See the Wounds: Acknowledge the reality of racial trauma and its ongoing impact.
Stop and Care: Engage with courage and compassion, offering our presence and support.
Join Us in the Work of Healing
The Good Neighbors Racial Healing Initiative invites you to be part of this sacred journey. Whether through the Good Neighbors Racial Healing Journey, the Community Garden, or our Justice and Racial Shalom Work, there is a place for you in this transformative movement.
Explore our ministries, subscribe to The Griot’s Blog for weekly stories and practices, or contact us to learn more about upcoming opportunities. Together, let’s embody the love and justice of Christ as we build a future of healing and hope.