Civil Rights Leader Perkins to Speak at Lee
Lee University will welcome Dr. John M. Perkins, civil rights leader, author, philosopher and community developer, to chapel on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 10:40 a.m.
Perkins was born into Mississippi poverty in 1930, and after overcoming the significant barriers of being black in the segregated south, he moved to California to escape the oppression of Mississippi’s closed society. In 1957, Perkins was converted to Christianity, and after three years of discipleship, he returned to the struggle of his home state of Mississippi. Since then, Perkins has engaged in the work of developing the world’s most troubling cities and founded the Christian Community Development Association, a network of Christians committed to seeing people and communities holistically restored.
Despite being a third grade drop-out, Perkins has been recognized for his work by receiving 11 honorary doctorates from colleges and universities across the country, and two universities have established John Perkins centers. He is an international speaker and teacher on racial reconciliation, leadership, and his philosophy of ministry which focuses on the development of the Christian community.
Perkins has authored 14 books including his autobiography “Let Justice Roll Down,” “With Justice For All,” “Leadership Revolution: Developing the Vision & Practice of Freedom & Justice,” and his latest, “Making Neighborhoods Whole: a Handbook for Christian Community Development.”
Along with his wife of 62 years, Vera Mae, Perkins has founded many ministries with the support of friends, which include focuses on Christian community development, church planting, health centers, leadership development, thrift stores, low-income housing development, and training centers.
The chapel service will take place in the Conn Center, with overflow seating available in the Dixon Center.
In addition to speaking in Thursday’s chapel, Perkins will also present in Pangle Hall (in Lee’s Church Street Annex) at 2:35 that afternoon. Both events are free and open to the public.
For more information about Perkins or the Christian Community Development Association, visit http://www.ccda.org/.
For more information on his speaking engagements at Lee, please contact the Student Development office at (423) 614-8400.
