Two Senators: One Black, One White, Helping to Heal the Racial Divide

I hope you’ll tune-in to today’s special Focus on the Family broadcast featuring an important conversation with Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and James Lankford (R-OK).

The program you’ll hear is about the confluence of race and faith – and why Christians should be in the best position to help resolve and redeem our nation’s racial tensions.

Sen. Tim Scott

Tim Scott is only the seventh African-American ever elected to the United States Senate and the first from the state of South Carolina.

Prior to joining Congress in 2011, James Lankford served in student ministry, first for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and then as the director of a youth camp in Davis, Oklahoma.

In the aftermath of Charlottesville, Virginia, I thought it would be helpful to ask Senators Scott and Lankford their “take” on the state of things.

What you’ll hear is candid and heartfelt.

Sen. James Lankford

Senators Scott and Lankford are proposing what they’re calling “Solution Sundays” – a practical grassroots movement designed to help bridge the chronic racial divide in America.

But it’s not a government program or a piece of legislation.

It won’t take months to negotiate or years to implement.

In fact, it involves you and me – and it’s something we could start as early as today.

“Americans do not really get to know their neighbors and fellow citizens at a rally or a big event,” they wrote last year in Time Magazine. “We get to know each other typically over a meal, especially in our home. What if Americans intentionally chose to put our prejudice and broken trust on the table by putting our feet under the same table? If it seems too simple and obvious, let me ask you this question … have you ever had dinner in your home with a person of another race? Many Americans have not.”

Isn’t that a simple yet profound suggestion?

Please take a few minutes and listen to today’s broadcast, won’t you? We find ourselves in the midst of a difficult and tension-filled time in our nation’s history. But, as Senator Lankford reminds us, “If anyone can comprehend redemption … and what it’s like to be made new, it’s followers of Jesus.”

You can listen to “Bridging the Racial Divide in the United States” on your local radio station, online, or on our free phone app.

You might also be interested to read a story from the December 2016 issue of Focus’ Citizen magazine featuring Sens. Lankford and Scott and their “Solution Sundays” program. Subscribe to Citizen at www.citizenmagazine.com.