July 2

July 2, 2004

Dr. Jack Evans
Southwestern College
Terrell, Texas 75160

Dear Dr. Evans,

I apologize for taking so long to respond to your correspondence of March 19, 2004. To be honest, almost every church leader I talked to who know of your letter, including many African-American ministers, strongly counseled me not to respond at all. Perhaps their judgment will prove to be wise. Nevertheless, I could not escape the feeling that I owed you, as my brother in Christ, some type of response. Please forgive my delay.

I also ask your forgiveness for the unfortunate impression my lesson of January 28, 2004 may have created. It was never my intention to appear condescending to my African-American brothers and sisters. The many African-American brothers and sisters who know me and my heart insist that I did not do so. They know I am no racist, and are quite upset that anyone would think me so. However, upon further reflection, I can understand how those who do not know me or my ministry could have received that impression. For that, I am profoundly sorry. I sincerely apologize for that error on my part, and will strive to be much wiser in and humbler in the future.

I also regret the way you chose to disagree with me. Had you written me personally, or called, I would have been happy to come to Terrell, meet with you, and gain wisdom from your many years of ministry. It seems that such an approach would have honored our Lord and served his church far better. Still, your response is no excuse for my poor choice of words.

Since you have chosen to share with so many “interested parties” your critical opinion of me, I want you to feel free to also share my apology with them. Should you choose to do so, I hope you will in a way that encourages greater respect among us all. I do want to believe that my brothers’ counsel was wrong, and that writing you will not only make things worse.

Please know that for many years I have respected your great devotion to the cause of Christ. May God richly bless you, your family, and the important ministry of Southwestern Christian College.

In a common love,

Rick Atchley, Minister

[Dr. Evans' response to Rick Atchley's Apology]

[Rick Atchley's Sermon On Racial Reconciliation]

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