Unity Weekend is an opportunity for believers to discuss our faith by simultaneously sharing the Bible’s transformative message of racial and ethnic unity from pulpits across the country and to practically demonstrate God’s love and our oneness in Christ across racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and denominational lines, while serving the underserved in our local communities.

Unity Weekend was founded to elevate the Christ-centered church as the key facilitator in leading our society toward racial unity and serving the needs of diverse American communities in both word and deed through teaching the Gospel and service/volunteerism (Romans 10:17, Psalm 107:20, Luke 12:33-34, Luke 14:12-14).

Unity Weekend is an idea birthed out of prayer and a growing initiative:  

1.   Summer 2021 – leaders began signing The Statement of Change calling for a change in the deep racial polarization in the church and our nation.   

2.    November 2021 – leaders gathered at The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., for the DC Talks event to build relationships and share personal experiences of racial pain and successes. 

 3.    January 2022 – the Let’s Talk monthly zoom calls began with leaders from across the country talking through and praying for better ways to address the issue.  

 4.    June 2022 – Let’s Talk participants decided it is vital for Christians to lead from the front and become more proactive in tackling our national racial crisis by taking the next bold step called Unity Weekend.  

 5.    September 2022 – leaders from across the country gathered at the African American Museum of History & Culture in Washington, D.C.

The Founder, Derek Grier, currently serves as the founding pastor of Grace Church in Northern Virginia. Grace Church began in 1998 with 12 people and has grown to more than 7,000 members. His passion for serving people led him to establish over 40 life-changing ministries within Grace Church. His radio and television programs are heard and viewed by millions in the United States and around the globe.

 Grier was ordained a bishop in 2008 by the late Dr. Myles Munroe. He has received numerous honors and awards and is the founder of multiple educational, training, and outreach programs including the Renaissance Leadership Network for business leaders. In 2011, he founded the now, fully accredited, Virginia Christian College (formerly known as Virginia Bible College), where he serves as Chancellor and Dr. Courtney McBath is President. Dr. Grier serves on several boards including, the Board of Directors for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate standards for financial accountability and transparency.