Politicians, running for office, often find their way to African American churches on Sundays. They know it is one place people of color gather on a regular basis. Politicians may visit churches in search of approval and money. But many African American Christians regard politics as a way to live out their faith in pursuit of justice in our society. When the Apostle Paul and Silas landed in Macedonia, they found their way to a prayer meeting at a riverbank outside of Philippi. A businesswoman from Thyatira, Lydia, was leading the prayer meeting. The women gave Paul and Silas a chance to speak. We read in Acts CH. 16 that as Lydia listened, “the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household. Then Lydia was so overjoyed at her newfound faith that she immediately extended hospitality to Paul and Silas. Her home became the headquarters for their Kingdom work in that city. It is still true–people who know the value of Christ’s work in the world, like Lydia, give of their time, talents, and resources to promote His Kingdom agenda.
