Today a friend sent me this rarely viewed video clip of testimony from John Perkins and family members regarding a horrific event that took place in the deep South during the 1960s. Ferguson, Baltimore and now McKinney serve as stark reminders that our nation has a long way to go in overcoming racial divisions and bigotry. Quite honestly, so much of what I have read from friends and even trusted teachers whose thoughts span the spectrum of perspectives has left me cold.

When I watched the testimonies in this video I was reminded of the racial turmoil that marked my own upbringing—riots, violence, bigotry and hatred. More importantly, however, I was reminded of the only real hope of overcoming racial animosities. The gospel dispels enmity and brings peace.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:13–18).

Watch these powerful testimonies. And pray for the power of the gospel to spread across our needy land.