Courageous Conversations from UniteKC

Pastor Don Lewis grew up multicultural in California, faced racism inside the church, and chose redemption over bitterness. Hear his story on Courageous Conversations with Unite KC.

Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall share practical tools for repairing relationships after hard conversations about race, politics, and faith — and why humility matters more than being right.

Taylor Penrod moved into Argentine, one of KC's most diverse neighborhoods, opened a coffee shop, and learned that the most powerful mission field is the street you live on. A conversation about incarnational mission and loving your neighbor.

Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall talk about how Unite KC is mobilizing Kansas City churches and leaders to welcome 720,000 World Cup visitors through prayer, hospitality, soccer clinics, worship nights, and neighborhood watch parties.

From early in life, Greg, found himself in communities where he was one of a very few black men in a world populated by white people. Learn from his experiences how to thrive and contend for racial harmony and unity. Today Greg pastors a church where the congregation is primarily white while situated in a world of color. They are learning that not only can they thrive but that integration and unit...

Lexi Lang joins Courageous Conversations to talk about the Dividing Lines Tour, racially restrictive deed covenants in Kansas City's neighborhoods, and what it looks like to love your neighbor through knowing your city's history.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray and Gary wade into deep waters—exploring the origins of racism in the church, the power of silence, and what it means to take responsibility without assigning guilt. Drawing from history, Scripture, and lived experience, they unpack concepts like "inherited head starts," complicity, and blind spots, while inviting listeners into a hopeful vision of...

What happens when business leaders stop "supporting ministry" from a distance—and start using their gifts, networks, and wisdom to help the city flourish? In this episode, Ray and Gary sit down with George (The Barnabas Group Kansas City) to explore how business leaders can strengthen ministries and nonprofits through practical insight, strategic coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. George...

In this Foundations episode of Courageous Conversations, hosts Ray and Gary step back to share the personal stories that shaped their commitment to racial healing, justice, and unity. From childhood memories during the civil rights era to painful experiences in Christian school, cross-cultural friendships, moments of fear, courage, and unexpected leadership opportunities, this conversation traces...

As Kansas City prepares to host the World Cup, Kwan Porter (Life Mission KCK) shares why this moment is bigger than logistics—it's a Kingdom opportunity. From job fairs that honor people with dignity to a citywide vision for worship and unity, Kwan challenges the Church to lead with hospitality, courage, and love. What happens if thousands of believers simply choose to "do one good thing" at the s...

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Porsche Seals, Executive Director of Caring for Kids, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, education, and what it really takes to show up for children in Kansas City. Porsche shares her unexpected journey from stay-at-home mom and PTA leader to city-wide advocate, leading a growing network of schools, ch...

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with Marvin Daniels, Director of The Hope Center, to explore what it looks like to pursue long-term transformation in Kansas City's urban core. Marvin shares his journey from Brooklyn to Chicago to Kansas City—and how God shaped a vision not just for a single building, but for an entire neighborhood to experience ho...

Jeremiah reveals why he and his wife, Mona, wrote the story of the underground and turned it into an award-winning theatrical performance with 20 years of history in KC. Hear some wins and some heartache. Take notes of what we learned. Most of all we talk about why these kind of offerings are important today. 

We live in a cancel culture where if we disagree, it is treated with offense. What if we were determined to be unoffendable—where we sought first to understand and then valued friendship over disagreement?

Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall sit down with worship leader and marketplace executive Lester Estelle, Sr. to talk about leading in a predominantly white church, building truly multiethnic worship, and staying courageous when resistance shows up. From police-at-the-door misunderstandings to introducing Spanish verses and hymns, Lester shares practical wisdom for creating spaces that look a little mor...

 Words can unite—or divide—before we've finished a sentence. In this candid conversation, Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall unpack loaded terms like "privilege," "prejudice," and "I don't see color," and model how curiosity, humility, and responsibility turn trigger words into bridges. Practical stories, honest reflection, and a simple call: don't quit talking—and keep giving grace.

Former Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore joins Courageous Conversations to talk about leadership, community, and the role sports can play in bringing people together. From founding the C You in the Major Leagues Foundation to building the Urban Youth Academy, Dayton shares how empathy, humility, and faith drive his leadership philosophy—and why he believes Unite KC's mission matters more than eve...

In the very first episode of Courageous Conversations, hosts Ray Jarrett and Gary Kendall pull back the curtain on the story of Unite KC and why this podcast exists. Born out of a desire for racial healing after the death of George Floyd, Unite KC has become a movement to love your neighbors at all costs and live into the vision of Uniting People, Uniting Neighborhoods, Uniting KC. Ray and Gary sh...