Dear Friends,

I feel like it’s time I finally share my heart with you over the outrage happening in our country.

As we have watched the suffering and division of our nation and the tragic loss of innocent lives, our hearts have grieved with you. This violence is so terrible and sad to see.

The racial division — hand-in-hand with the total disregard for the value of human life — is especially tragic.

At U R More, we affirm our longstanding mission that every person has God-given worth and purpose, that our identity is found not in our ethnicity, politics, socio-economics, or the color of our skin — but in the sole fact that we are children of the one true King, Jesus Christ — and we are called to follow His example.

As we look back on the past 15 years of ministry and the beautiful diversity of people we’ve met, we come back to this truth every time: love transcends color and race and culture.

Love sees.

Love listens.

Love changes us.

My favorite memories of ministry are of reaching women and girls who on the surface look very different from me– but understand that on the inside, we are all the same. We all have dignity and worth that no person can give to us and no person can take away. When we see beyond the surface and into the heart, we cross bridges and make bonds no one can deny.

At U R More, we are unwavering in our devotion to all women and girls. This is who we’ve been from Day One. Our foundation is the power of God’s love to awaken hearts and give us the courage to share our stories and be real about our journeys.

Our foundation is Christ. He is an unshakable foundation, and no trend or crisis from the media is going to move us from this position: Authentic love brings people together.

In the Great Commission, Jesus told us to “Go and make disciples of all nations . . . .” The word “nations” means ethnicities. “Teach them,” he said, “to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:28-20).

And what did He command us? To “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). “‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). And: “Whoever practices and teaches these commandments, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19, emphasis added).

Recently I bowed out of social media for a couple of weeks and reflected on my mission.

Where did I end up? Right where I began.

Even though it seems like the whole world has changed, my purpose has not changed.  

My purpose is to follow the Great Commission.

I shouldn’t even have to say it, but I love kids of all backgrounds. I love women of all colors. We are all assigned our worth by our Creator; it is not up to mankind to determine the sanctity of human life.

At U R More, we train women and girls to see their beauty and worth in God’s eyes.  Why? Because people who understand their identity as children of God and ambassadors of His love don’t put their race before their humanity. Our faith comes first.

We love people as we love ourselves. The more we honor and respect our fellow man, the better off we will be as human beings and as a society.

I was speaking at an event in California several years ago when a woman came up to me after it ended.

“I have always hated white women,” she said with tears in her eyes, “I just couldn’t receive anything from them. But while you were speaking, God showed me this, and for the first time ever I could really hear you, and I’m so grateful.”

From inner-city schools to women’s prisons to my closest friends to strangers on the street, all my life I’ve been touched by people of all races, nations, and colors. Isn’t that the beauty of life on earth? That we can unite under the diversity of Creation?

When we love others as we want to be loved, we fulfill our calling.

If Jesus tells us “the greatest in the kingdom will be the one who teaches others to love,” then that’s what we are going to keep on doing.

My position was and always will be that valuing one another is the answer.

Below I’ve listed some profound teachings on racism that have greatly influenced my perspective. They have blessed me so much and I highly recommend you listen to them.

Love never fails.

Your friend,

Jennifer Strickland

RECOMMENDED TEACHINGS:

• T.D. Jakes amazing interview with Carl Lenz after the death of George Floyd, massively impacted my views of the current crisis.
• Voddi Baucham’s speech on ethnic gnosticism, best message on racism I’ve heard.
• Robert Morris’ teaching two years ago on what the Bible says about racism – what every person should know.
• Mark Vroegop’s podcast on the power of lament in bringing racial reconciliation is especially helpful for white people.
• Brian Fisher of Human Coaltion’s post “We Stand for Human Dignity,” is quick and essential reading at time like this.