Redemption: The John Perkins Story

As many have shared this weekend, we've just lost one of the greats. John Perkins, sharecroppers' son turned Christian civil rights activist, passed away on March 13, 2026 at the age of 95. 

I'm thankful to say I had the opportunity to first spend time with John Perkins back in 2012, calling him Grandpa Perkins ever since, and have developed friendships with his family and many others connected to him over the years. A weekly, online Perkins Center Bible Study became a Zoom-linked, global family formed out of a pandemic, and I anticipate many of us are about to meet on another in person for the first time. We've become a diverse community in Christ who care about each other because of a regular man—a confessed sinner like us—with an extraordinary story of forgiveness forged by the power of the love and forgiveness he'd received through Jesus Christ.

"Good news. Great joy. All people."

Grandpa said it on repeat, but I loved to hear it. The Gospel of Jesus is for everyone. We've received it. Let's go out and share it.

He taught me that any "ism," even against racists, has no place in my heart. Jesus loves us despite our sin, for which He died. "What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." We need to love too. 

I've often said I could never speak with him, or listen to him, without falling more deeply in love with Jesus.

And, as Grandpa Perkins so often said, "Love is the final fight."

If you've never heard the story of this man who felt the Lord's love so deeply, who was such a friend to everyone he met, and who could bring a diversity of individuals together in loving community from across the country and around the world, I encourage you to watch his story below. Check out his books. And, most importantly, come to know that same transforming love and forgiveness of the Savior Grandpa Perkins was so eager to finally see.

Redemption: The John Perkins Story

If you would like to honor the legacy of John Perkins, please consider supporting the work of the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation in Jackson, MS.