A Problem Made for the Church to Solve - Mark Atkinson

Join us as we explore the inspiring life and impactful work of Mark Atkinson, associate minister at the Church of God of East New York and New York City area director for Care Portal. Uncover how Mark's personal journey through challenging neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Long Island shaped his understanding of racial identity and self-worth. He found solace in faith during his darkest times, leading him from struggles with suicidal thoughts to becoming a preacher at 14. Mark opens up about how his spiritual transformation has guided him through historical challenges like gerrymandering and redlining, and how it now fuels his mission to bring the wholeness of heaven to earth. Mark's journey doesn't stop at faith; it extends into the realms of activism and teaching. Discover how a transformative performance at Hofstra University, where he embodied James Weldon Johnson, connected Mark to a legacy of faith-driven social justice. This experience ignited his passion for teaching others about the intersection of faith and justice, particularly kingdom justice, and how this has shaped his professional path. Mark shares profound insights into the unity of justice and faith, emphasizing the necessity of diversity and collective impact to create a more equitable society. We'll also take a closer look at Mark's role with LeadNYC and Care Portal, focusing on their transformative work during the pandemic. By fostering collaboration among local leaders and organizations, they’ve created a shared vision for change in struggling neighborhoods. Learn about the innovative ways these initiatives address systemic issues, particularly in the foster care system, and how films like "The Sound of Hope: The Possum Trot Story" can inspire action for holistic community renewal. Mark's reflections on his experiences and commitment to ensuring health, wealth, and representation for all weave a compelling narrative of cities envisioned to mirror the culture of heaven. (00:01) Journey to Finding Purpose Through Faith(09:27) Faith, Activism, and Kingdom Justice(20:58) Embracing Diversity and Collective Impact(26:21) Building Collective Impact With Care Portal(42:02) Renewing Cities for Holistic Change Website - https://faithly.coInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co Mark Atkinsonhttps://faithly.co/profiles/markatkinson Care Portalhttps://www.careportal.org Sound of Hopehttps://www.angel.com/movies/sound-of-hope-the-story-of-possum-trot