Why the 2026 Thrive/Sankofa Retreat Was the Dialog We All Needed

by Jorja Porter

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The 2026 Thrive/Sankofa Retreat was an educational, inspirational, and faithful time of listening and learning about ideologies and strategies for practicing antiracism work and building faithful communities within our church and communities.  

From April 14–16, something historic happened. For the first time ever, Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice and Sankofa of the Alliance of Baptists (a beautiful space of support for Black clergy and leaders) joined forces. We gathered at Ellis Avenue Church in Chicago, and let me tell you—the energy was powerful. Huge kudos to Dr. Alexis Tardy and Lily White for their flawless organization. To everyone who attended: thank you for your energetic and loving participation.

Our retreat leader, Rev. Dr. Alexis Tardy, set the tone for the retreat and its theme, “Practicing Prophetic Imagination for Costly Discipleship.”

In a world that feels heavy with rising grocery prices, war, and systemic violence, Dr. Tardy invited us to stop looking at what is and start imagining what could be. It wasn’t just a theme; it was a refreshing, spirited call to witness for Christ in a way that actually changes how we practice working together with those inside and outside of our communities.

We Condemn Your Condemnation was a riveting poem/statement performed by the poet Too Black. This poem challenged the way we conceptualize redemption and human forgiveness. We were blessed by a “Who’s Who” of brilliant minds, each bringing a creative spark to our theme with following sessions that encouraged our scholarly acuity and tested our ability for prophetic imagination: 

• The Role of Education in a Moral Economy Moving Towards Kinship – Building Real Kinship: Dr. Ferris Blount, III challenged us to see kinship as a choice. He asked us to think about the question: What are we willing to give up to build better relationships in our communities? By getting to know the people in our communities, we allow an opportunity to create kinship bonds.  
• Cultivating Sustainable Practices of Kinship: Rev. Dr. Andrew Wilkes reflected on costly discipleship requiring a deeper identity and understanding of the “Kingdom” as the “Kin-dom of God,” focusing on structures of inclusion, repentance, and repair. 

•  My God, My People, My Planet: Haniah Davis gave an eye-opening session on the climate crisis. She reminded us that the “environment” is simply “that which surrounds us”—and we are called to protect it.
• Choose a Kingdom: Dr. Allison Hampton & Rev. Dr. Milton Keys delivered a powerful session titled “Pick a Kingdom,” urging us to align with God’s Kingdom rather than the “Empire” of privilege, uniformity and control.
• God’s Dream in a World of Nightmares: Rev. Jyrekis B. Collins reminded us that Jesus’s ministry was always about the people. The church is called to embody God’s dream of justice, love, and restoration. God’s dream isn’t abstract—it’s the literal liberation of the oppressed. 

It wasn’t all work! We bonded over delicious meals and local culture. We took a deep dive into history at The DuSable Black History Museum (the oldest independent African American history museum in the United States) and shared an incredible meal at Daley’s Restaurant (the oldest restaurant in Chicago —that soul food is legendary!)

“The hospitality was amazing.” “This was such a needed conversation.” “I’m taking these concepts back to my church!” These were the whispers (and cheers!) echoing throughout the retreat.

My Personal Reflection

As the host of this retreat, I can’t describe the pride I felt welcoming the Alliance community to my home church and my city. To see diverse, intergenerational women and men of God investing their spirits into faithful strategies for justice… it was a prophetic moment that was a blessing from God.

My heart is full, but it’s also challenged. I’m heading back into my daily ministry reflecting on what it means to truly embrace the marginalized and care for God’s planet. I am also thinking about the questions I need to ask myself about social transformation in my ministry and the questions I’m waiting for others to ask me about justice, inclusion and  faithful solidarity.

An Encouraging Word for You: If you’re feeling weary or like the church, your community or the world is too broken to fix, remember that we aren’t meant to do this alone. We need space like the Thrive/Sankofa retreat to build “peaceful, honest, and meaningful relationships.”

Let’s hold onto the words of Hebrews 10:24-25:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

Let’s be disciples in our prophetic imagination and go build the Kin-dom together!