What is RUN?

The Racial Unity Network (RUN) is a Christ-centered ministry that works to bring about racial justice and restoration within Centre Region, Pennsylvania. Find out more about us and our scriptural foundations in the About page.

“From every nation, one family, one body, one temple, in Christ, His love, no walls.”
Revelations 5:9: Ephesians 2:14-21

Is RUN affiliated with any churches in State College?

RUN was founded with leaders and members from Unity Church of Jesus Christ and Calvary Church of State College. The majority of involvement to date includes members from those two churches, but the ministry’s scope is continuing to expand. RUN is expanding and has members from several other churches around State College. RUN’s vision is to continue to grow and see more involvement from local churches

How can I get involved in RUN?

RUN always welcome new members! People who are committed to supporting racial justice and want to stay informed with RUN are called RUN Champions. This involves receiving email updates and opportunities to participate in events. People willing to get more actively involved can join one of RUN’s 5 ministry teams. This involves committing to monthly team meetings and planning events and activities. To Find out more about RUN involvement in the Get Involved page.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8

There are so many causes to support. Why should I spend extra time and energy supporting racial justice?

RUN believes that racism and the church’s complicity through its history is one of the most urgent and important issues to address in our lifetime. As racism continues garner national attention, RUN wants the Christ-centered church to be at the forefront of leading a response. We are in a moment in history where future generations may look back and ask to what extent Christians were willing to love their neighbors. RUN looks to scripture to guide our movements. Visit the About page to learn more of our believes and scriptural foundations..

Committing to becoming a RUN Champion does not require much time. It may look like saying that you don’t agree with something said in a conversation. Or going out of your way to engage with a new person of color in your neighborhood. Or listening to a podcast series on racism instead of sports. Or committing to going to a rally twice a year celebrating racial diversity and acceptance. It doesn’t take much. But it does take intentionality.

What does scripture say about racism?

Scripture is clear in that we are called to love all people. Isaiah 1:17 tells us to Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; please the case of the widow. The plight of our friends of color should not fall on deaf ears. James 2 clearly lays out how we are not to show partiality, but instead should take a posture of humility. Luke 6 also tells us to listen and to love our enemies. If we do not take action, or worse, if we speak out against defending racial injustice, we risk going against God’s word. Galatians 3:27 tells us that there is no longer division, but instead oneness in Christ. Lastly, 2 Corinthians 5 explains that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Christians are to use this gift and seek to reconcile broken relationships.

I think racism is a problem, but I don’t think that I’m the problem or can do anything about it. What can I do?

Yes, racism is a persistent problem ranging from overtly using racial slurs, having explicit guidelines in place that are prejudice against people of color, or a landlord preferring to rent to a white couple when a black couple is equally or more qualified. It looks like avoiding walking past a black man at the grocery store. It looks like laughing at a joke at the expense of someone’s skin color. These examples, and many more, create an unwelcoming environment for people of color and creates disadvantages that lead to uphill battles. Together we can choose to take action, build awareness, learn to disrupt old patterns of thinking and create new habits for inclusion.

What can you do? We’re glad you asked! You can join RUN, attend local events, get more educated, take steps to become an “anti-racist”, and pray. Visit our Take Action page to learn more!

“Father God - Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart and mind to understand your word. Give us the courage to walk out your word in faith in our lives - Amen!”
From Daniel 3: 1-18

I identify as a conservative christian and I feel that conversations around race always turn political. How do I balance my conservative viewpoints with my desire for racial justice and everyone to be treated fairly?

It is RUN’s believe that the Church should be fully engaged in the topic of race, one of the most important topics in our generation. We take direction from Jesus’s examples of loving our neighbors as ourselves. Racial justice boils down to just that. RUN believes that some of our brothers and sisters have not been loved as well as they could have been, both historically and in present times. We feel it’s our responsibility to learn about the inequality and take action locally and personally. And when we broaden the conversation around race too far, we’re tempted to get distracted and lose sight of God’s greatest commandment. Love God, and love others more than ourselves. This is something all Christians can support.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:25 NRSV

Does RUN have any affiliation with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Organization?

RUN is an independent organization that is formed by members of local churches in the State College area. There is no affiliation with any other group, including that of the Black Lives Matter organization. However it is worth mentioning there is a commonly accepted differentiation between the BLM Organization (blacklivesmatter.com) which holds a wider set of beliefs beyond supporting racial equality and the BLM movement, which is a decentralized social movement that advocates for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of violence against black people and racial inequalities.