Text saying 'churches that Thrive for racial justice' with the word 'Thrive' filled with a colorful abstract pattern, and the logo of the Alliance of Baptists at the bottom.

Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice

Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice is a partnership between the Alliance of Baptists and Davidson College that equips congregations to engage the long, faithful work of becoming antiracist churches. Guided by leading sociologists of race and religion, THRIVE creates spaces where pastors and lay leaders can learn together, ask difficult questions, strengthen relationships, and develop practices that move racial justice from aspiration to lived congregational life.

Following the success of its first five-year cohort, THRIVE has been awarded a new five-year, $2 million grant through the Lilly Endowment's Thriving Congregations initiative, allowing the program to expand its impact through new congregational cohorts, additional learning opportunities, and greater support for participating churches.

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What Makes THRIVE Different

THRIVE is rooted in the belief that congregations flourish when they intentionally pursue the flourishing of all people.

Participating churches become part of a learning community that includes:

  • Annual retreats for worship, learning, and relationship-building

  • Virtual gatherings throughout the year

  • The Prophetic Imagination webinar series featuring pastors, organizers, scholars, and practitioners

  • Research and guidance from sociologists Drs. Gerardo Martí, Kevin Dougherty, and Mark Mulder

  • Opportunities to learn from other congregations engaged in antiracism work

  • Funding to support participation and local antiracism initiatives

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all curriculum, THRIVE invites each congregation to discern how racial justice is lived out within its own context while learning alongside churches across the Alliance.

The Next Five Years (2026–2030)

Each year of the cohort explores a theme that emerged from the experiences of churches in the original THRIVE program:

  • Year 1: Pastoral and Lay Leader Isolation

  • Year 2: The Significance of Baptist Polity

  • Year 3: Antiracism and LGBTQ+ Inclusion

  • Year 4: The Inclusivity Paradigm

  • Year 5: The Burden of Consensus

Together, these themes help congregations deepen both their theological imagination and their practical capacity to embody justice, reconciliation, and belonging.

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A Proven Model

The first THRIVE cohort included more than two dozen Alliance congregations across the United States and Canada. Nearly every participating church launched new ministries, worship practices, reparative initiatives, or community partnerships, while leaders consistently reported deeper relationships, renewed theological imagination, and a stronger commitment to confronting racism within congregational life.

Interested in Participating?

THRIVE is open to congregations committed to engaging antiracism as an ongoing practice of discipleship. New cohorts are selected through an application process as the program continues to expand over the coming years.

For information about current application opportunities, funding, or participation, please reach out to Alexis Tardy.

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A woman giving a presentation in a room with a wooden wall and a large screen displaying a slide titled "Practices Against the Habits of White Supremacy." She is gesturing with her hands while speaking, and there are tables with various items, including candles, paper, and a water bottle, in front of her.