Seattle

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Seattle with John Perkins for a week of lectures and speaking engagements. My roll was to be his nap coordinator, well not really but basically it was to make sure the 75-year-old man didn’t over work himself. The week was based around a visit to Seattle Pacific University where they are working to start a John Perkins Center. John spoke several times at SPU over the week. They all love him up there. The university itself is working to incorporate Perkins philosophies on reconciliation and community development into the core of their students and faculty.

It was a great but tiring week. At times I felt like we were a rock band on tour, going from one venue to the next. JP would get up on stage and rock the house then we would be off to the next engagement. I couldn’t believe the amount of energy John had. Some highlights of the week included J.P. speaking to a group of 85 fourth graders who had read his book, attending the governors prayer breakfast where J.P. was the keynote speaker, selling books after each talk, meeting up with my good friend Erik and sitting out on a curb talking til the sun came up, having dinner in Olympia with Carole and the “incredible Becki”, enjoying a few of the local micro brews, coffee (I brought six bags back). I met so many people and had a lot of good talks over the week.

I probably heard JP speak 15 to 20 times and each time I was effected and challenged. When people talk about love and justice the bells in my heart ring and I am interested in how I can better practice those things. I think I had forgotten what a radical voice JP is in our times. He has the ability to speak to not just Christians but to anyone. He fires people up but not on emotion or promises of prosperity, he speaks to the heart. I found myself thinking back to first time I heard him speak. I had given up on the modern church and was in a state of soul searching. I didn’t see the church living out what Jesus talked about, instead I saw people clinging to folklore religion that’s only purpose was to appease themselves. When I heard JP talking about literally living out the things Jesus talked about, justice for the oppressed and ministering to the poor, I could no longer deny that all of Christianity was messed up. I saw people experiencing that change on our trip. I spoke to a middle aged, somewhat wealthy man who was realizing that he’d lost the vision in his life. He’d realized that his kids were getting a great education in their all white private school but that they may be missing out on the joys of being friends with other ethnicities.
This short blog cannot give justice to JP’s philosophies and speaking. If you are really interested in what he’s all about read a few of his books. He talks not just about helping the poor by giving them food but also by introducing them to a Jesus through discipleship.
The end result of discipleship is character and in our neighborhoods and world we desperately need people of true character.

If you are interested in reading any of John’s books I’ll make you a deal. I’ll pay for the shipping for a limited time. All books are $10. Email me if you would like to take me up on this. johnny.bertram@gmail.com

Johnny ( who's Bad?)

Books By Dr. Perkins


Let Justice Roll Down
A Quiet Revolution
With Justice For All
Beyond Charity
Restoring At Risk Communities