Honoring Black History Month

Black History Month reminds us that the pursuit of justice has never been separate from the Church—it has been led by it. From pulpits to protest lines, from church basements to courtroom benches, African American believers have long been at the center of the movement for freedom and dignity in this country.

People grounded in extraordinary faith, preached, prayed, marched, and sacrificed so future generations might live free. This legacy is not confined to the past; it is a spiritual inheritance that calls us to action today. As we commemorate this month, we remember that the Church is not called to watch history but to shape it, guided by love, truth, and the unwavering call of Micah 6:8: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

53 Bishops Join Our Montgomery Pilgrimage in Honor of Dr. King’s Legacy

This January marked a historic moment - one that has grown into a movement of spiritual formation and prophetic witness. Mission Talk convened a national delegation of bishops and executive leaders from Black and Latino churches across the nation for a four-day pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama. Representing more than 41,000 churches and 3.8 million congregants, they came together for a time of worship, reflection, and meaningful dialogue.

We honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During this time, the pilgrimage invited leaders to encounter the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and reflect on the Church’s responsibility in moments of moral crisis. As they journeyed through the pilgrimage, many testified that their lives were both challenged and transformed.

A Moment With Bryan Stevenson & Equal Justice Initiative

As part of our Legacy Pilgrimage, we had the honor of hearing from Bryan Stevenson founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, author of Just Mercy, and a leading moral voice on justice—who spoke to more than 140 Latino executive leaders and bishops. Stevenson challenged the Church to move closer to those who suffer and to resist fear-driven narratives that distort both history and faith.

Mr. Stevenson has reshaped the national conversation on mass incarceration and racial injustice. He urged leaders toward proximity as a spiritual discipline:

“To do justice and love mercy we need to get close to people in jails, refugee camps, and detention facilities... The harmonies of the discarded and dejected can teach us how to love mercy. We must get closer to one another. We must get proximate.”

He reminded participants that people of faith are uniquely equipped to help people embrace truth and reconciliation, adding, “You have to tell the truth before you get to restoration. Confession and repentance open us up to grace and mercy.”

Stevenson’s call to proximity, courage, and hope resonated deeply with participants, many of whom named the call to stand with immigrants and marginalized communities as a central responsibility of the Church in this moment.

Mission Talk is deeply grateful to Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative for their generosity, partnership, and support of this pilgrimage.

Cost of the Call: Dr. Justo González shared tears as he talked about his conversations with Dr.King

At Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once pastored, Latino and African American bishops gathered for a moment of shared memory. One of the most influential voices in Latino theology, Dr. Justo L. González, shared a personal encounter with Dr. King. What began as a moment from history became a moment of deep spiritual conviction. 

Through tears, Dr. González recounted the words that Dr. King once spoke to him directly in a living room:

“It will cost me my life, but I have to do it.”

Those words hung in the room like a benediction. Not simply a memory, but a reminder of the cost of courage, faithfulness, and obedience.

Dr. González’s presence became more than a historical witness. It served as a living bridge between African American and Latino Pentecostal traditions, grounding today’s call to justice in shared faith, sacrifice, and responsibility. This divine moment will live on in every pilgrim who was present.

Monthly pilgrimages to Montgomery will continue through 2026. Stay tuned for more information.

Birth of CEPA: Latino Pentecostal Council Leaders form a New National Body in Montgomery, Alabama

Mission Talk is honored to have served as the catalyst of a historic gathering of Pentecostal bishops—a moment that gave birth to the Confraternidad de Entidades Pentecostales de las Américas (CEPA). The new national body of Pentecostal Councils now stands as a united voice to reclaim our history, reaffirm our identity, deepen our theological roots, and boldly shape a future for generations to come.

Mission Talk Launches Prayer Gatherings Across 8 Cities in Florida on Behalf of Immigrant Families

Hundreds of pastors and people of faith came together to cry out to God, calling for an end to deportations and issuing a call to the nation for a renewed spirit of compassion. Participants also gathered around mailboxes to write heartfelt letters to state officials on behalf of immigrant families. This spiritual movement began in Florida and is already spreading across the nation.

What You Can Do

Pray — For immigrant families living with fear and uncertainty, and for wisdom and courage among our church and civic leaders.

Reflect — What does it mean to follow Jesus in a time of fear, division, and injustice? How is God inviting you and your church to stand with those most impacted?

Act — Join us for Advocacy Day on February 16–17 in Tallahassee. Stand with us at the Florida Capitol as we urge lawmakers to protect immigrant families and defend human dignity. More details coming soon.