Our Mission
To invite the body of Christ to practice racial reconciliation through dismantling unconscious biases and building radical empathy.
“Be imitators of God, as children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved you and gave himself up as a pleasing aroma.”
– Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
– Romans 12:10
Our Vision
The Reconciliation Group provides a variety of programs designed to educate white pastors and church leaders about the pervasive existence of racism still present in the Western Church today, while giving them the tools to become antiracist advocates within the body of Christ and their communities.
We desire to see the Church become a leader once again in the pursuit of justice and compassion around the world. The goal is never to condemn, but to edify and inspire a greater sense of empathy for the suffering of the communities of color around us, so that we may all better reflect the beauty and diversity of the Trinity.
Our Method
A member of our team will meet with you, to review your specific organizational culture and needs in order to determine the best program to accomplish your goals.
For our coaching programs, your staff will meet at regular intervals, in-person, with a member of The Reconciliation Group team, for specialized training and discussion. Throughout the intermediary months, your staff will commit to completing focused action steps.
We do not recommend that the larger church body be involved in these practices, allowing the staff and leaders to truly integrate these truths into their hearts and minds.
“When God created man, He created him in the likeness of God.”
– Genesis 5:1
Our Facilitators
Katie Wires, Founder
Katie is an aspiring Peacemaker, who believes the gospel without justice is incomplete. Inspired by the words of Osheta Moore, Austin Channing Brown, and Sarah Bessey, she believes the best way to call the Church to a higher standard in its antiracism journey is from within.
Her deep love of the global Church comes from over 20 years of ministry that includes leading women’s ministries and creating multi-generational mentoring programs. Katie desires to speak with the imagination of a prophet and envisions the Church the way it could truly be – messy, but present. Willing, humble, and filled with radical empathy.
Katie has a Masters of Arts in Ministry with an emphasis in Racial Trauma, Intervention, and Justice from Richmont Graduate University. Katie and her amazing husband of sixteen years have three wonderfully weird and messy kids, a dog named Rosie, and a bearded dragon named Frank.
Patience Regular, Facilitator
Patience Regular is a wife and mother to three beautiful daughters and one amazing son. She has worked passionately as a teacher for many years in private school education. She has a desire for speaking and blogging, where she presents her views and beliefs in a creative way for her audience.
Patience has always been an agent of justice, speaking with integrity and truth. Discernment is one of her most celebrated qualities. She is an asset to her generation through the powerful and strong gifts that she possesses.
Our Board
Laura Downey
After receiving a master’s in journalism at Florida A&M University, Laura Janelle Downey landed in NYC as a reporter for PEOPLE. Since then, she’s been a fashion/entertainment editor, a magazine journalism professor, managing editor of 944 Las Vegas and Vegas/Rated magazines, as well as Atlanta Best Media’s eight publications, and ForbesTravelGuide.com. Laura J. is currently the executive editor of WebMD’s magazine and its point-of-care products. The 43-year-old is currently working on a Master of Arts in Ministry.
Joy Drake
Joy Drake is a designer, developer, digital marketer, author, and speaker. She is also our Marketing Directer. Over her 18 year career Joy has worked with TGIFridays, Texas Roadhouse, dozens of John Maxwell coaches, and hundreds of churches and businesses across the US. Joy spent eight years as a Communications Director for a local church. She is currently the Digital Strategist for Noonday Association, helping leverage digital for the Kingdom. In her free time, Joy loves hanging with her family, little league baseball, and coffee dates with friends.
Todd Graham
Todd Graham is a writer, speaker, and Family Pastor. He oversees preschool, kids, married people, and groups. His one career goal is to help encourage strong marriages & to help parents build strong families. Todd is married to a California girl, Trina & they have 3 hilarious children. One in college, one in high school, & one in middle school. They are a very tight-knit family that spends most evenings together & they all serve in some area at the church. Todd is an ultra-distance runner, traveler, day hiker, & lover of books & movies.
Melissa Gonzalez
Melissa Gonzalez is currently a Retail Associate Relations Specialist for Publix Supermarkets. Before her position in Human Resources, she facilitated leadership and diversity classes for retail management for four years and held retail customer service positions for six years prior. Melissahas a double degree in Criminology and International Affairs with minors in Spanish, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, and Hospitality from Florida State University. Relatively new to Georgia, Melissa loves to try out new restaurants and go on adventures. In her free time, Melissa enjoys breaking out of escape rooms, dog sitting, and spending time with her friends.
