“There is room at the table for everyone”
“There is room at the table for everyone”
Helen Harwood talks to Robrenna Parker, a first year student on the African Christianity MA route
by Helen Harwood,
Helen: Hi Robrenna, and thanks for agreeing to be interviewed. What led you to study with us at CMS?
Robrenna: I have a friend who is attending Church Mission Society’s African Theology pathway. During each discussion about what she was learning, I became more and more curious.
I’m drawn to CMS because it explores the gospel through a diverse cultural lens, a perspective that was not part of my spiritual formation, and its central purpose to minister to those on the edges.
I’m eager to deepen my understanding of the impact and contributions that diverse heritages and cultures had on Christianity, specifically African Theology.
By overlooking these elements, we tend to disregard the richness, tapestry, and fullness of the global church. I’m excited to learn about a much-needed expanded depiction of Christianity.
I understand you grew up in a military family and served in the military yourself. Can you tell us more about how this shaped and influenced you?
Growing up in a military family meant constant change, new schools, new communities and so forth. While it was challenging at times, it taught me how to be adaptable and accepting of others.
As a young child, I lived in Germany. Despite a language barrier, we played with the other children living around us.
Later in life when I served in the military, this interconnectedness was reinforced as I saw first-hand how diverse groups of people can unite around a shared mission.
These experiences fostered openness to new people, cultures, and perspectives. It also instilled a deep desire to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and included. I truly believe there is room at the table for everyone.
How did your journey of faith begin, what was the ignition point?
My family of origin didn’t attend church regularly. In the late 1970s and early 1980s a children’s ministry involved church buses driving through various neighbourhoods. The driver knocked on the door to invite children to attend Sunday School.
Although, my mother didn’t attend church herself, she ensured we were on whichever faith tradition church bus arrived at our house. As a result, I was exposed to various traditions.
During my time in the military, Sergeant Gina Johnson consistently invited me to lunch to share with me the gospel message. At one point I told Sgt Johnson, I didn’t want to go to church because I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. Her response: Jesus will take you right where you are.
That statement stayed with me; however, it would be 10 years before Sgt Johnson’s words resurfaced.
The ignition point occurred after I experienced a difficult labour and birth of my daughter. Intense gratitude for her birth and my health, stirred in me a desire to learn more about God and the love of Christ. At the age of 34, I made the life-altering choice to follow Jesus.
As a result of my experience, I understand the significance of planting seeds and trusting the timing of the Holy Spirit’s work.
I believe you have been on a journey of ‘deconstruction’; can you tell us more? What does this mean and where has it led you?
Yes, the journey of deconstruction for me means examining my faith and dismantling beliefs shaped by dominant cultural narratives, including the rise of Christian Nationalism in my home country, the United States.
This process has been both painful and liberating and has led me to a deeper understanding of the heart of the gospel – God’s love and justice.
It has made me keenly aware of Jesus’ ministry for those who are marginalised or have been harmed by systems of power, including those within the church.
This journey has given me a passion for helping others heal from spiritual harm and reclaim their faith.
Robrenna, I am so sorry to hear that you have experienced domestic violence in your life. If it is not too painful, can you tell me about your experiences, how you coped, and how you have come through this difficult time? What has sustained you during this time?
I appreciate your compassion. Leaving my 23-year marriage was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.
The abuse wasn’t obvious, it was psychological, emotional and financial, which often made it difficult for others to understand or believe. I felt trapped, confused, and like I was losing my sense of self.
Story work, which helps connect past trauma to present relationships and healing, played a crucial role in my understanding of what was happening in the marriage and how it was connected to my childhood wounds.
For many years, I was a Sunday School teacher for girls ages 11 to 13, an especially formative age in development. For many years I taught lessons centered around identity in Christ, exploring questions such as: Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? And in light of this knowledge and understanding, who am I? Eventually, I realised I needed to internalise those lessons for myself.
During this time, I experienced instability and homelessness. I felt sadness, anger, grief and confusion.
I even wondered if God really saw me, but in time God showed me his name El Roi, the God who sees me.
God met me in my darkest moments through unexpected people and places, reminding me I was not alone.
What sustained me during this journey was a combination of faith – truly understanding my identity in Christ, therapy, story work, and a supportive community.
Although it was a difficult season to walk through, this journey has not only strengthened my faith and resilience but ignited a deep desire to walk alongside other women in their healing journeys. As a result, I became a certified trauma-informed story work coach and founded Reclaiming HER Resilience.
My passion is to help women understand their personal stories and relationship patterns, as well as how to navigate harmful and toxic relationships, enabling them to reclaim their narratives and create a new and empowering chapter in their lives.
Thank you. What would you want to say to the wider church about these issues?
I would encourage the church to listen deeply to the stories of those who have been harmed.
Too often, domestic violence is minimised or misunderstood. Leaving survivors feeling isolated and unsupported is spiritual harm.
I urge church leaders to receive trauma-informed training and collaborate with local resources to ensure survivors receive the care they need.
The church has an incredible opportunity to create spaces that prioritise safety and healing and embody God’s love by advocating for justice, offering trauma-informed care, and walking with people as they heal.
That is great, Robrenna, how can we pray for you?
Please pray for strength and wisdom as I balance my studies, business, and personal healing journey.
Pray that God would use my experiences to bring hope and healing to others, and that I would remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in all I do.
