Rev. 7:9 Sankofa Journeys��The Center for Church Multiplication and Ministry�Reformed Church in America

Spring 2026 Overview �

Sankofas are designed to help the RCA

live into this vision from Revelation 7:9

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, [gathered] before the throne and before the Lamb...”

Revelation 7:9

Sankofas are aligned with the RCA’s E-5 policy�

“Led by the Holy Spirit, the General Synod Council covenants with the General Synod of the RCA to commit to a multicultural, multiracial, and multigenerational future engaging all of God’s people locally and globally in mission and ministry free from the sins of racism, sexism, and ableism.” 

What does Sankofa mean?

• Sankofa is an Akan word from Ghana, West Africa. It symbolizes the idea of looking back to move forward, also translated as “go back and get it.”
• Its symbol is a bird looking over its shoulder with an egg in its mouth.
• Sankofa is a powerful concept that emphasizes the importance of understanding our past and even reclaiming some pieces of it in order to better navigate our future.

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What are Sankofa Journeys?

RCA Sankofas are transformative journeys that:

1. Explore historical narratives
2. Foster racial reconciliation
3. Build authentic multicultural, multiethnic community
4. Inspire heart transformation leading to meaningful action

What does a Sankofa Journey do?

A Sankofa Journey increases one’s awareness, understanding, and sensitivity for past struggles, victories, and continuing racist oppression existing in the United States.

The journey explores how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go. Sankofa allows participants the opportunity to consider how together, we might better address racial righteousness in our church, our nation, and our world.

A Sankofa Journey seeks to be an experience of both personal and corporate change. It is a journey of spiritual transformation.

What are the implications for positive impact?

Sankofa invites the Church to understand racial righteousness as a critical component of our Christian discipleship.

The immersive discipleship journeys equip participants to pursue biblical justice and empowers them to become ambassadors of reconciliation inside and outside the church.

Excerpts from: https://covchurch.org/mercy-justice/sankofa

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What does a Sankofa Journey look like?

• Sankofas are 4-5 day journeys where a diverse group of people (app. 30-45)from across the RCA travels together to learn and grow. 3 pre-trip Zoom meetings will build community, begin to engage with the Sankofa process, and make sure all participants are well-prepared.
• Each Sankofa will be unique and centered on a particular group of people to will explore their history, culture and customs, spiritual practices, and life experiences. This will include stories of hardship, injustice, and challenges as well as hopeful ones.
• Sankofas are taken within the United States and comfortable lodging, ground transport, most meals, and materials will be included in the registration fee.
• Sankofas will be led by ministries from the Center’s Rev. 7:9 department (Racial and Ethnic Councils, Women’s Transformation and Leadership, Disability Concerns, and Dismantling Racism) and overseen by the director of Equity-Based Hospitality. All logistics will be carefully planned with the RCA Events department and, at times, Short Term Missions.

Before, During, and After the Journey� An Overview

• Pre work: Pray, plan what to bring, engage in the learning materials provided including Equity-Based Hospitality, attend 3 Zoom mtgs.
• For the Journey: Come ready to embrace the Spiritual, Historical, Relational, and Transformational aspects of the journey.
• Post-Journey: Reflect, consider personal and communal action steps, bring the experience back to your local context, participate in the virtual reunion and stay connected for ongoing encouragement and support.

��������This practice embraces the mutual hospitality of guest and host.

It can be readily adapted to help create beloved community, anywhere, anytime.  

Sankofas are grounded in

Equity-based hospitality (EBH)

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EBH is the biblical practice of welcoming both friends and strangers in generous, kind, respectful, flexible, barrier-free ways. ��It takes people’s needs into account so that they can find space to truly belong, live into their God-given gifts and callings, and contribute to the body of Christ.

A word about�Equality vs. Equity

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Equality: Two things that are the same or have a similar value. When we treat people or groups of people the same, we make sure they have or get the same things. 

Equity: Giving everyone what they need to be successful; it is NOT giving everyone the exact same thing. If we give everyone the exact same thing, expecting that this will make people equal, it assumes that everyone started out at the same place.

Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.

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The nine values of Equity-Based Hospitality�

EBH Values 1-3

• Sense of belonging and ability to contribute
• Access for all
• Intentional diversity

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EBH Values 4-6

• Authenticity, vulnerability, and humility
• Trust
• Care for content and context

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EBH Values 7-9

• Attention to power dynamics
• Prioritizing the needs of others
• Respecting participation levels

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EBH’s 9 values are engaged to help ensure:

• People from many walks of life are intentionally, strategically invited to participate and contribute, taking the time needed to make sure everyone feels truly welcomed and included. Communication is clear, taking cultural norms into account.
• The content and framework provide both a strong foundation and are flexible enough so as to draw diverse constituencies into community, building relationships and trust, and honoring and even celebrating different cultures and learning styles. 

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• Group guidelines are shared and agreed to, supporting everyone being on the same page as to how the community will be shaped and led.
• People are encouraged to participate in ways that work best for them within the framework provided, respecting participation levels and individuals’ processing abilities, ie verbal vs. internal, intro vs. extrovert, emotive vs. stoic, etc. 

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EBH’s 9 values are engaged to help ensure:

• Potential barriers to full participation are carefully considered and resolved.
• The whole experience is grounded in prayer and scripture, leaning into our oneness in Christ, with an attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s movement in and through us, calling us to deep, meaningful transformation, individually and communally. 
• Other practices as they emerge.

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EBH’s 9 values are engaged to help ensure:

Sankofas are aligned with the RCA’s Commission

on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and their responsibilities

1. The commission shall advise the church on policies and initiatives that address issues of institutional racism and the commitment of the Reformed Church in America to become a fully multicultural and multiethnic denomination.

2. The commission shall serve as an advocate for transformation of the Reformed Church in America in regard to its multiracial and multiethnic life.

3. The commission shall recommend policies, objectives, guidelines, and strategies to assist the Reformed Church in America in its effort through all of its agencies, commissions, institutions, and other affiliated bodies to become a fully multiracial and multiethnic church.

4. The commission shall monitor, evaluate, and report on the Reformed Church in America's progress in achieving its multiracial and multiethnic objectives.

BCO, 2023 edition, p. 117

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Sankofas are aligned with the RCA’s Commission

on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and their responsibilities

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General Synod 2025 adopted a Recommendation brought forth by CORE

• RE 25-1 says “…to provide up to three Sankofa journeys per year for the next three years and up to three Institute for Healing Racism–type experiences per year for the next three years, through fiscal year 2028.”
• The Center’s Rev. 7:9 ministry department stewards these journeys. The four Racial & Ethnic Councils, Disability Concerns, She is Called/Women’s Transformation and Leadership, and Dismantling Racism will have the opportunity to design and lead one or more Sankofas, individually or in collaboration with another ministry area. These will be promoted across the RCA.

Next Steps?

• See what Sankofas are currently available! Consider, pray, learn more, register.
• Contact the EBH director with questions at EBH@rca.org.
• Connect with any of the Rev. 7:9 ministries via equip@rca.org.
• Check out our website for upcoming Sankofas and more: www.rca.org/revelation-7-9.

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