Dr. Jack Gaines—passed on to Glory on Monday, March 23rd. He had bravely fought an aggressive form of cancer for several years, continuing to minister and speak reconciliation wherever he could until the last few weeks of his life. He was having amazing open doors to share his wonderful reconciliation message in mixed race venues in Virginia (his home state), in other states, and in international settings. Of course, his book, My Brother’s Keeper, Not My Brother’s Killer, will continue to influence many to realize that if we are having a problem with our fellow man, we have a problem with God.
At Reconciliation Eagles, we want to honor Jack as the inspiration, visionary, encourager, and spiritual leader of our group. We wouldn’t be an organization if Jack hadn’t pursued our friendship, helped enlightened our cluelessness, and perhaps prayed us into existence! Our goal has, since it was just a thought, been to help provide a platform for Jack and for others with a Kingdom view of the racial barriers.
One of Jack’s passions was to see peace secured in S. Sudan. Though he didn’t live to see that dream fulfilled, his message will continue to have an effect on that small Christian nation—his book has been translated into the local dialect (Juba Arabic), recorded, and put onto micro-chips. These are being placed into solar mp3 players along with the New Testament, which will go forth across the country and into unreached people’s groups in S. Sudan by church missionaries across the country who are committed to reaching these groups. Jack’s message is filled with God’s words to us about peace with our fellow man. His word will not fail!
Many of you worked with Jack in various aspects of ministry through his love of missions. Some of you were involved with the Benin reconciliation event in the 1990’s. Some of you met him in Hempstead, the western reach of slavery in the U.S. as he spoke in seminars and small conferences there. You may have met him in Rwanda as he put together a conference for bishops from South Sudan. Or you may have met him via our webinars for Reconciliation Eagles.
You can see Jack in action at one of our Eagles’ gatherings, showing his heart for Benin, W. Africa and for S.Sudan in the clip linked here. There are many more clips featuring Jack on the website and on our Youtube channel, reached via our website. —And in case you didn’t know, Jack was a professional baseball player for many years from the time he was first signed on at 17 (picture above)!
You can write a tribute for Jack Gaines to info@reconciliationeagles.com, forward a letter to his family by adding your comments below or via our PO box, or donate to the ongoing ministry of furthering Jack’s message on the solar mp3’s (Reconciliation Eagles is a 501c3 non-profit. Please make checks out to that name and put a note inside the envelope “for S. Sudan”).
Please add your tributes to Dr. Jack Gaines in the comments below.
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