Around the Block with Pastor T

In this episode of Around the Block with Pastor T, we dive into the necessity, practices and struggles of centering marginalized groups in order to effective reach the cities. While it's necessary to love and include everyone, we must address the specific needs and realities of different neighborhoods within a city. As we talk with the Reverend Duke Kwon about the history, diversity, and unique challenges of his Washington, D.C. ne...

In this episode of Around the Block, Pastor T and Duke Kwon continue their conversation by discussing the power of tears and how they help us see things with moral clarity. Duke emphasizes that unless we collectively weep with repentance and sorrow over the evil that has been perpetrated upon the African-American community, we will never be able to ask the right questions or center the right people. Tears have the capacity to commu...

When it comes to conversations, Starting Points Matter. Starting conversations on both race and gender relations must begin from a place of empathy and understanding if they're ever going to go anywhere helpful. In this episode of Around the Block, Pastor T and Duke Kwon highlight the problematic nature of using certain Bible verses, such as "slaves obey your masters" and "women should not teach or have authority over men," as star...

In this episode of Around the Block, host Pastor T sits down with Ashley Davenport, the neighbor outreach director at Anacostia River Church. They discuss the importance of "neighboring well" and how it is crucial for building relationships and incarnating the gospel in their community. Ashley shares her experiences in different high schools, highlighting the racial segregation and stratification present in her city. They also touc...

In this episode of "Around the Block," Pastor T is joined for part 2 of his convo with Ashley Davenport, the Neighbor Outreach Director at Anacostia River Church. They discuss the challenges of ministering in inner city neighborhoods marked by tragedy and loss. The conversation explores how to care for oneself while engaging with suffering, how to lament and continue, and how to let lament and sorrow shape ministry expectations. Tu...

In this episode of Around the Block, Pastor T sits down with Jeremy McClain, a pastor and founding elder of Anacostia River Church. The discussion centers around the concept of being an "acceptable outsider" in a community and the importance of entering a neighborhood with love and friendship. Jeremy shares his experiences and insights on building relationships and making a positive impact in the community. Join us as we explore th...

In this episode, Pastor T continues his conversation with Pastor Jeremy McClain as they delve into the crucial role of shepherding the community through tragedy and loss as an essential aspect of ministry. They emphasize the active involvement of pastors and churches in the community's rituals and practices for dealing with trauma and loss. By participating in these events, pastors can demonstrate support, solidarity, and provide c...

In this episode of "Around the Block with Pastor T," Pastor T sits down with Pastor Joshua Roulhac to discuss the importance of church planting and revitalization in neglected areas like Congress Heights, DC. They highlight the great need for the gospel in these communities and the lack of churches in these areas compared to others. They also explore the challenges and changes that come with church planting and revitalization, part...

In this episode of Around the Block with Pastor T, we talk to Ernest Clover the Director of the The Dream Center in DC. In distressed and neglected communities, constant exposure to the problems and needs of these communities can lead to fatigue, frustration, and eventually apathy among pastors, Christians, planters, and residents. It can feel like an endless battle against hope. Insert the Dream Center, a place where Hope Becomes ...

In this episode of "Around the Block with Pastor T," Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile explores the importance of laying a strong foundation in various ventures. Drawing from his conversation with guest Welton Bonner, they discuss the impact of having fewer expectations and focusing on the growth of faith rather than getting caught up in preferential debates. They also touch on the significance of starting new ventures in an effective manne...

In this episode of "Around the Block with Thabiti Anyabwile," Thabiti continues his conversation with Welton Bonner, a former pastor of Greater Love Church in Washington, D.C. They discuss the process of closing the church to focus on prayer, study, and reflection in order to replant it with a stronger foundation. They also touch on the topic of whether having children is required biblically, and the value of church programs like S...

Living in a highly visual and aesthetic-centered culture can cause us to overlook the true essence of individuals. In this episode of Around the Block, host Thabiti Anyabwile sits down with Eric and Nana Dolce, a couple deeply involved in their local church and community. They discuss the importance of having a vision for family and raising children in a Christian home. The conversation also delves into the role of the local church...

In this episode of "Around the Block," host Pastor T speaks with Eric and Nana Dolce, who serve at New Macedonia Baptist Church in southeast Washington, D.C. They discuss the importance of engaging with the city and its diverse stories while emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel in predominantly black and brown neighborhoods marked by vulnerability and neglect. 

They emphasize the importance of focusing on the signific...