I have just returned from Atlanta, Georgia where I attended the annual Festival of Homiletics. The conference was a part of my sabbatical continuing education and a great opportunity to hear from preachers around the world. One of those preachers was Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose faithful, compassionate service to the people of South Africa helped bring down the tyranny of apartheid. In his remarks, Bishop Tutu spoke about the role of the church in reaching across geographic, social, and ethnic barriers to love, encourage, and support those who are isolated by oppression. In the early days of Jesus' ministry he spoke of preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom to the captive, and release for the oppressed. These defining characteristics of Jesus' ministry are to be markers of our lives as we live for Christ. Archbishop Tutu's courage, and that of so many others, points to the call of Christ upon all of our lives. Let us be faithful to preach good news, proclaim freedom, and bring release in the name of Jesus Christ.

Jim