Last year at annual conference, we began the journey toward racial justice. And it's work that we know that will last for a long time. But I promised at that time to name a diversity and inclusion officer. And so it's with great pleasure that I introduce Dr. Ron Henderson, who does not really need an introduction, who will be the director of racial diversity, equity, and inclusion for the North Texas annual conference. And so Ron, I'm glad you're going to be working with us in a number of ways. And of course, I think we need telewriting you'll still be serving on the appointed cabinet. Well, thank you. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the conference this way. I feel a great deal of energy, excitement, creativity, and working with the team that's been exploring the journey toward racial equality. And to work with our conference, work with the extended and appointed cabinet to make our conference, the bureaucracy, and our churches reflect more the kingdom of God. And that is going to be a challenging work at times in some places. And we know that. But one of the things that I've become very excited about is the number of people who are really wanting to engage in this work and know how important it is. Tell us why you think it's important. Well, I think it's important because people who have been marginalized, people who have had limitations in life, unintentionally, unintentionally, needs to be corrected. And I think the church needs to take the lead in making certain that our conferences diverse would have a variety of people, not only serving on committees, but serving in leadership, serving in our churches, having access to good salaries. I think it's important that we take the initiative in exercising and justice and fairness to everybody, particularly those who have been limited in the past. And it's important that we're intentional in making certain that people are really included, that they're more than window dressing, but that we have equipped them, empowered them, to be a part of the group in terms of decision-making, policy, et cetera. And you know, you know, I've talked about inclusion this way and it's like it's not just having a seat at the table, but having a voice at the table and empowering that. Yeah, I'm reminded I was a part of an organization once and people told me that you're a part of this organization. It wasn't a United Methodist organization. And I remember I was a part of the organization, but I was never asked to do anything. I never participated in any planning, any program. And so I was a part of it, but I wasn't really included. And so for me, inclusion means that you participate in visioning, you participate in policy-making, you participate in the direction of the whole. So inclusion is very important. Now, I like the way in which we begin to talk about that, you know, about having a voice and having a role to play and that kind of thing, rather than just, okay, this is just, you know, sure that we've got X number of people on any committee. It's more important than that. Yes, and it's important, particularly for you to hear the various voices and to say to people that their voice is important and that I need to hear your voice and that your voice is important to me. You know, the other thing we've wrestled with as a cabinet, as we talk about this, is there's a great deal of institutional history. And some of it is somewhat accurate and some of it's not. And so one of the good things that's happened with you on the cabinet is that we get the story about the history rather than the oral history that sort of changes perhaps at times. And we think that's going to be an important piece for our work together. Well, you know, I do bring an understanding of a institutional knowledge, do bring an understanding of the continuity of our history. And the continuity is important because understanding our history and not understanding the continuity doesn't make it authentic. And so when we talk about our institutional memory, we want to make certain that we are authentic and what we're talking about. One of the things that I think we sometimes forget, the cabinet is not. And others do not. But that racial inclusion is, he's gotten larger and larger in the North Texas conference and by that. I mean, when we talk about racial justice inclusion, it's not only African-Americans in Hispanics, but think of the number of Koreans who are present in the area. Think of the number of people who are here now from India. In fact, we have a pastor from India that's appointed to one of our churches. And any number of other Asian or Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, for instance, are in conference. So the diversity in North Texas is pretty large. Diversity at our conference has grown tremendously over the last eight years. And the amazing thing about this position and you're putting this position together and naming a director is also where we're saying to the conference is that even though we made great progress, I'm not satisfied. We have a long ways to go. And so even that is to be celebrated that we're not content with where we are and know that there's so much more we can do for diversity and inclusion. We have to be reminded that there are no quick fixes in this. There's only a journey that we continue on for a period of time. And so you're not going to get the walk out long this together. Intentional journey. Yeah, it is intentional. And so it's not just reactive when something happens. That's an important piece to remember. Yes. So I think that I'm glad you're going to be doing this. Well, I'm excited to be doing it and fill the energy and the creativity and ready to get going. I'm sure you'll have enough to do. Yes. I'm glad. So Dr. Henderson is going to be reporting to me. So one of my direct reports and so I want you to know that he'll be sitting in on all extended and point of cabinet meetings as I said earlier. And of course his voice is not only important to the cabinet but to the work of the whole church. And so I'm grateful that Dr. Henderson's agreed to do this work. And I want to look forward to seeing you at annual conference and you'll hear more about our journey toward racial justice then. So Dr. Henderson, good to be with you this afternoon. Great to be with you. Thank you. Thank you.