Empower/West

Empower/West, (www.EmpowerWest.com), is an ecumenical coalition of churches formed about a year ago. After many hours of honest and often difficult conversations among African American and white pastors, held weekly over nine months (and still ongoing), strides are being made toward:

• Economic empowerment of a part of our West Louisville community that presently functions much like a colony, where dollars flow out of but not back into or through the community.

• Recognition of a shared and often tragic history as blacks and whites.

• Reconciliation by way of partnering with one another and speaking truthfully to one another about the challenges and privileges powerfully affecting all of us.

We believe this can be a model for other cities, if leaders are willing to invest the time and run the risk of honest conversation. We believe the Spirit is honoring this effort as we try to draw ourselves, our churches, and our city together, as we, people of strength and compassion, serve our God and our community.

— Kevin Cosby and Chris Caldwell