The French Caribbean authors of In Praise of Creoleness (Eloge de la Créolité) exclaim, "Neither Europeans, nor Africans, nor Asians, we proclaim ourselves to be Creoles." Creoleness, therefore, becomes a metaphor for humanity in all its diversity. Unique among the many images useful for discussing diversity, Creoleness is formed within a history of injustice, oppression, and empire. Creolization offers a way of envisioning a future through the interplay between cultural diversity, injustice and oppression, and intersectionality. People of faith must embrace such metaphors and practices to be relevant and effective for ministry in the 21st century. Using biblical exposition in conversation with present day Creole metaphors and cultural research, Becoming Like Creoles seeks to awaken and prepare followers of Jesus to live and minister in a world where injustice is real and cultural diversity is rapidly increasing. This book will equip ministry readers to embrace a Creole process, becoming culturally competent and social justice focused, whether they are emerging from a history of injustice or they are heirs of privilege.
Curtiss Paul DeYoung is a social justice academic, author, and activist. He served as the Co-CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches--an ecumenical council of 27-member denominational communions from historic Black, Native Dakota, mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, Peace, and Greek Orthodox churches--with programs in racial justice, refugee services, and interfaith relations. DeYoung previously served as the executive director of the historic faith-based racial and economic justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago, IL with its unique programmatic combination of church-based community organizing, policy advocacy, and investigative journalism.
DeYoung served Bethel University in St. Paul, MN as the inaugural professor of reconciliation studies; co-chair of the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Reconciliation Studies; and director of the South Africa Term. He has been an adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL; United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul; Augsburg University in Minneapolis; and University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
DeYoung served on staff at congregations in Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, DC. He is an ordained minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN). He consults and speaks nationally and internationally with extensive relationships among activists and peacemakers across the United States, in South Africa, and in the Holy Land. He has been a member of several boards, including as an advisor for the Center for Reparatory Justice, Transformation, and Remediation at McCormick Theological Seminary and the Martin Luther King Jr. Living Memorial Project Planning Committee (50th anniversary of Chicago Freedom Movement in 2016) as well as a board member at Greater Twin Cities United Way and Sabathani Community Center near George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.
DeYoung has a doctor of education in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas, in St Paul, MN; a master of divinity from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC, and a bachelor of arts in religious studies from Anderson University, in Anderson, IN.
He is an author and editor of thirteen books on racial justice, reconciliation, social justice activism, and cultural competency, including serving on the editorial team for The Peoples' Bible: New Revised Standard Version, With the Apocrypha. DeYoung has been married to Karen since 1984. They have three adult children.
The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is Senior Minister and Public Theologian at Middle Church in New York City. In her activism, preaching, speaking, writing, and teaching, Jacqui advocates for racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations and genders. A world-renowned theologian, Jacqui has been featured on The Today Show, All In with Chris Hayes, Good Morning America, The Jonathan Capehart Show, The Brian Lehrer Show, The Takeaway, NY1, ABC, NBC, PBS, CBS and many more. Her writing has appeared in outlets like Harper's Bazaar, Vox, Ebony, Essence, The Huffington Post and Religion News Service. She is the author of several books, including the children's books You are So Wonderful and The Just Love Story Bible. Her most recent book for adults is Fierce Love: A Bold Path to a Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World.
Jacqui created two television shows, Just Faith (MSNBC) and Chapter & Verse (PBS) and is a frequent guest on national television talking about faith, politics, and art. Her podcast, Love. Period. is produced by the Center for Action and Contemplation. She and her husband John live in New York City. Together, they have a son, daughter-in-law, and two magical little grandchildren who keep them laughing.
