Jade Simmons joins Pastor Perkins and Pastor Watts to discuss her candidacy for President of the United States. Candidate Simmons explains her goal to bring servant-leadership from a non-partisan leader, and why she believes this is so much better for the future of the country than looking for a political savior. Simmons rejects the idea of gradual, symbolic change when real and tangible change is needed, and she offers examples related to education, criminal justice, and healthcare. She explains how she intends to bring vision and her unique leadership capacity as a Black woman to involving the American people in healthy governance.

Go to perkinsandwatts.com to donate to production costs.

Resources relevant to this episode:

Operation Restoration 2020

Jade Simmons Music

Commissioned to Love by John Perkins and Anthony Bobo: https://commissioncircles.com

First edit by Pioneer Productions.

Pastor Perkins and Pastor Watts are joined by Rev. Cecilia Williams, the President and CEO of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) to talk about place-based people-focused community development. Rev. Williams shares her encouragement and disappointment in how the church responded in Minneapolis this summer. They discuss the importance of developing home-grown leaders in the practitioner-based CCDA movement, along with the necessity of engaging systems and structures. Pastor Watts discusses truancy and the schoolyard to prison pipeline as a practical example of a system in need of reform, and the long slow work of making change.

Rev. Williams highlights the CCDA Collective that will take place October 1-3, 2020: The World has Changed, but Our Mission Remains the Same.

Go to perkinsandwatts.com to donate to production costs.

Resources relevant to this episode:

CCDA: The Christian Community Development Association

The CCDA Collective (October 2020)

Commissioned to Love by John Perkins and Anthony Bobo: https://commissioncircles.com

Episode edited by Pioneer Productions.

Pastor Perkins and Pastor Watts discuss the removal of the Mississippi state flag and statues as well as renaming schools. Pastor Perkins asks “How do we get from where we are today to where we need to go?” and Pastor Watts argues for the creation of economic justice and equity funds.

They discuss the church's responsibility for the poor; the difference between giving money to poor people and addressing systemic poverty; and the need for voting plus action.

The Pastors ask whether the Church in America is still an essential institution and discuss the need for courage in exercising the prophetic responsibility of the Church.

Ms. Sandra Chappelle joins them toward the end with a reminder of where real change comes from.

Go to perkinsandwatts.com to donate to production costs.

Resources relevant to this episode:

Nexstar Interview with Pastor Watts

March on Washington speech by John Lewis

Commissioned to Love by John Perkins and Anthony Bobo: https://commissioncircles.com