Building a Multiethnic Church

“Pastors listen to pastors who do pastoring well, and churches ought to listen to churches that do church well. Theory sounds better on paper more often than it works, but churches that have learned how to be the church in a fast-changing America deserve our ear. Transformation Church in Charlotte and their courageous leader, Derwin Gray, deserve our ear for one reason: they are mapping the path that leads to the multiethnic church, to a high-definition vision of what the church must become in an America increasingly filled with racial tension. Both Derwin’s story and Transformation Church’s are visions of a new kind of church. No vision is more needed in the United States of America because if our churches don’t become multiethnic, the word united at the federal level will be mocked by the word divided in the churches. Derwin Gray has a better idea: let local churches lead by becoming united churches as a prophetic voice for a more united nation.”

Scot McKnight

“Derwin Gray is one of the leaders of an emerging army of men and women who are taking courageous steps of faith to lead, live out, and model the visible unity of the body of Christ. Anchored in God’s Word, Building a Multiethnic Church is a compelling, prophetic call to be and look like God’s church. Derwin writes not from mere observation and analysis but from engaging credibility. The church he leads is a portrait of the power of the gospel to make us one. Thank you, Derwin, for equipping us and calling us to go beyond a ‘convenient success’ to giving ourselves to God’s holy, noble vision for his church.”

Dr. Crawford W. Loritts Jr.

“Derwin Gray is a provocative preacher, but an even greater visionary. He has seen what the church of tomorrow must be—indeed, what it should have been all along. This is no high-minded book about theory. He has built what he is calling the rest of us to. If we ignore the truths of this book, we do so at our peril.”

J. D. Greer

“This book spoke to my soul. Theologically robust. Prophetic. Passionate. Building a Multiethnic Church will be must-read material for the young leaders I train who have the Christ-exalting, redemptive impatience to lead multiethnic churches.”

Bryan Loritts

“Building and being a part of a church on earth that looks and worships like the Church in heaven is a consuming passion of mine. It is also a consuming passion of my friend Derwin Gray. This book fleshes out that passion in a way that will bless, convict, instruct, and motivate. I don’t think you can remain the same after reading it! So jump in and prepare to be transformed for the glory of God and the good of others.”

Daniel L. Akin

“We live in a world of increasing complexity and division. In Building a Multiethnic Church Derwin Gray calls the church and its leaders to a new level of conviction and a new type of leadership. This book challenges convention and challenges the reader to abandon the status quo and embrace a glorious picture of ethnic unity that is made possible only in Christ. This book is a must-read.”

Ed Stetzer

“Every so often a book comes around that changes the course of the Church by merging strong, theological principles, intelligent thought, and authentic Christ-like compassion. Gray’s Building a Multiethnic Church is that book for the modern-day believer, leader, and pastor. Written to invoke the passion and DNA of the early church in the heart of those who forge ahead with the mission of grace and faith today, this book will birth a new zeal in us to build a Church that reflects the corridors of heaven. Get ready for a book that will magnify His call in you and through you!”

SERGIO DE LA MORA

“More than a half-century has passed since Martin Luther King Jr. called 11:00 a.m. on Sunday ‘the most segregated hour in this nation,’ and his words are still true. For shame. A racially segregated church not only fails to reflect the increasingly multiethnic make-up of America, but it also fails to live up to the biblical vision of God’s kingdom. Where is this community comprised of ‘every nation and tribe and people and language’ that the Apostle John spoke about? But despair not, dear readers. In a moment where the church lags painfully behind the progress of society, Derwin Gray offers a clarion call for a revolution in our ranks. Building a Multiethnic Church arrives at the right moment and comes at you like a rocket—with superb precision and paradigm-exploding power. Skip it at your peril.”

Jonathan Merritt

“In a time when too many pastors and too many churches are content to minister among those who look like them, we need leaders with gospel courage and a biblical insight to call us out of monochromatic apathy. Derwin Gray is the right voice at the right time. Read Building a Multiethnic Church and be energized to see the kingdom of Christ in all its vivid diversity once again.”

Dr. Russell Moore

“In a time when our country is marked by great diversity and great division, we need pastors who can be ‘gospel-shaped leaders’ as Derwin Gray calls them. These leaders are passionate about reaching across cultures and bringing reconciliation and healing. What a timely book.”

Greg Surratt

“Leadership, true leadership that knows the times, has a vision of where we are to go, and guides a people there, is in severe short supply. Pastor Derwin Gray is a proven leader, and he outlines in fascinating detail how to be a godly leader in a multicolored, complex world. A fascinating and vitally important book that is exactly right for the times.”

Michael Emerson

“Building a Multiethnic Church is a brilliant prophetic prescription for the church in today’s America. Gray exposes the elephant in the room: our churches aren’t diverse in a nation that is. He then tackles the all-important question of how to break the trend and lay hold of the reconciliation God so desires for his church.”

Albert Tate

“Pastor Derwin leads with conviction because he preaches what he practices. His words are timely and must be considered if we as the Body of Christ want to steward well the gospel message entrusted to us by God. If there’s anything our churches and nation are in dire need of today, it’s more multiethnic-minded leaders!”

D. A. Horton

“I relish the opportunity to learn leadership lessons that are humble and sustain my faith. My friend Derwin Gray has written such a book. Instead of the church running for the hills when facing adversity, we would do well to learn from our African American brothers and sisters. This book is such a gift! The leadership lessons in this book are game changers for the church. Buy yourself a copy. Then get copies for every church leader you know.”

Gabe Lyons

“How is it that radios have moved from flat-frequencies to surround-sound, and television has catapulted from black-and-white to technicolor, but the church still wrestles with multi-frequency and gospel-shaped leadership? In Building a Multiethnic Church my friend Derwin Gray challenges us to catch what has always been the gospel intention—leadership that bridges divides, celebrates difference, and calls us higher.”

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero