I wanted to take this moment to honor a man who loved the Good news of the Gospel wrapped in a faith that included justice for all people.
Dr. John M. Perkins, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, teacher, author, civil rights leader, and servant of Jesus Christ, passed from this life into the presence of the Lord on March 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and the prayers of many whose lives were touched by his faith, courage, and witness. (Taken from the John and Vera Mae Foundation)
Dr. Perkins was a distant mentor to both Rodney and I in the development of Urban Vision throughout the years. He helped lead and organize the Christian Community Development Association along with Wayne Gordon that Rodney, me, our staff, board members, and volunteers would attend in the years gone by. It was here we would get encouraged and connected to stay faithful in challenges we faced in the urban ministry. The thing we most looked forward to was Dr Perkins teaching the Word of God, bringing hope through solutions, and healing in our connection to one another in our community of need. His impact is National and even Global as many people wanted to understand how to serve the poor amongst us with love and dignity.
His story of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation emanated throughout his testimony where he was treated poorly and tortured in a jail cell just because of the color of his skin and his stand for justice. He would often say Love is the final fight. I cling to those words in the midst of so much in our world today that feels broken and confusing. Dr. Perkins would often take his problems to Jesus and then, from the Word of God, articulately and boldly live out the truth that at times could feel very uncomfortable to a culture who did not understand how to walk in the shoes of others. His message was always to bridge the gap between the cultures. His heart was to see solutions rise from the community and always encouraged the voice of the people. He affirmed that within the community, everyone has a part to play in the kingdom of God.
I and a coworker had the opportunity one time to drive Dr.Perkins and His Friend and co leader Wayne Gordon pastor of Lawndale Community Church from Cleveland to Akron after a conference we heard them speak at. They asked if anyone was going to Akron if they could catch a ride. I timidly raised my hand and before you know it I was traveling back with them in my car thinking I was driving Moses and Joshua of our times…They wanted to see where we did ministry in the North Hill community. Dr. Perkins said, Akron is small with some big problems, but not too big for God to get His arms around. I never forgot that and I never will!
Thank you Dr Perkins for influencing me a young white girl who wanted to understand how to love the children and families in the city around me with love and dignity. Please be praying for his wife Vera Mae married for 70 years and his daughters and family who are grieving his loss, but remembering a man whose legacy left was not of hate but love! Please take a moment to read Dr. Perkins obituary and even a book of His like: Let Justice Roll Down, He is my Brother, One Blood or Making Neighborhoods Whole.
My prayer is that is that we who are called to love God and to love others well will follow in his footsteps. May God continue Dr. Perkins’ Legacy of Love and Justice for years to come! Amos 5:24 “ But Let Justice Roll Down like waters and righteouness like an ever flowing stream.”
