In October 2011, Jemar Tisby sat in front of his computer, his hand hovering over the keyboard. On the screen in front of him was the form for a new Facebook page, which Tisby had filled in with the details of his latest project—a group he was calling the Reformed African American Network. As he did his final check, he felt a tension. He wanted this group to be small, but he had a sneaking suspicion that once the page went live, it would take on a life of its own. Was he ready to follow along and see where it led? Swallowing his doubts, he pressed the “Enter” key. Looking back now, he’s glad he did. Nearly five years later, RAAN has grown from a Facebook page to a Christian cultural powerhouse, producing and hosting some of the most honest and influential conversations on justice, diversity, and racial reconciliation the church has seen in decades. Tisby, meanwhile, has fully embraced his role as RAAN’s Co-founder and President, even as he continues to serve as Director of the African American Leadership Initiative and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at Reformed Theological Seminary’s Jackson campus. For Tisby, though, racial justice isn’t just a pressing cultural issue—it’s his calling, and it’s never been more timely. In a season when Christians nationwide are puzzling out how best to respond to protests, shootings, and domestic frictions surrounding race, he has a vision for how churches can cultivate a commitment to racial diversity. How else can churches create space for all of God’s people in their congregations? Find out on this week’s episode of The Calling, as CT managing editor Richard Clark chats with Tisby about #BlackLivesMatter, being the only black member in a Dutch Reformed church, and why racial reconciliation is a gospel issue, not just a social issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices