Dr. John M. Perkins at Sunset Presbyterian evening service

During this week-long event, Dr. John Perkins spoke on Christ-centered social justice, racial reconciliation, and community development. Dr. Perkins is a Promise Keepers speaker, and the author of many books including “Beyond Charity”, and “Resurrecting Hope”. As a pastor who stood for civil rights in Mississippi during the 1960’s, he was arrested and beaten nearly to death for registering African-Americans to vote. As a result of his commitment to living out the words of Christ, he refused to return hate for hate and instead asked God to fill his heart with love for his enemies. Dr. Perkins went on to launch ministries in Mississippi and in Los Angeles, and organized the Christian Community Development Association and the Foundation on Reconciliation and Development. He has been a guest lecturer at many universities including Oxford University, Stanford University, and Harvard University. In 1999 Dr. Perkins was awarded Prison Fellowship’s 11th annual William Wilberforce Award. An advisor to three U.S. presidents, Dr. Perkins has also gained the friendship of Senator Mark Hatfield, who said recently, “I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dr. John Perkins and his ministry. He is a herald of peace and a defender of human dignity. His message is one that must be heard and acted upon.”