The Cyrene Movement

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The Cyrene Movement

The story of Simon of Cyrene is a model for us. Simon was a man of color from Cyrene in North Africa his encounter with Jesus is retold in three of the Gospels: Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26. Simon came to Jerusalem and was in the crowd watching Jesus strain under the weight of the cross when a Roman soldier forced Simon to help Jesus carry the cross to Golgotha. God, the Father appointed Simon that day to relieve some of Christ’s burden.

This encounter with Christ must have transformed Simon’s life and that of his wife and sons, Alexander and Rufus. Rufus, in Romans 16: 13 as chosen of the Lord and Paul writes of Rufus’ mother as being a mother to him also. This family had a significant role in the growth of the early church.

People of Color are resilient but many of us are weary or embattled as we combat ongoing racism, micro-aggressions and racial trauma. The Cyrene Movement offers an online Christian community where People of Color come together and share our struggles and triumphs. Like Simon of Cyrene we help lift each other’s burdens.

We also remind each other of who we really are: children of the King, righteous, blessed, courageous, and beloved of the Lord, a royal priesthood and that the Lord has a purpose and a plan for our lives. We all need this kind of encouragement—especially when the road gets rough and the journey feels really long.

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About Us

Sheila Wise Rowe

Sheila holds a Masters degree in counseling and has over twenty-five years experience as an anointed Christian counselor. She has specialized in trauma, marriage and family counselling, life coaching, spiritual direction, teaching, writing, and speaking.

Sheila is a member of the Redbud Writers Guild and has written essays for The Redbud Post, The Mudroom and READY Publication.

Sheila has an essay in the anthology; The Wonder Year: 40 Women Over 40 on Aging, Faith, Beauty and Strength, edited by Leslie Leyland Fields.

Sheila co-authored with Nicholas Rowe the book; The Well of Life: Heal Your Pain, Satisfy Your Thirst, Live Your Purpose.

Sheila's a new book; Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience will be released by InterVarsity Press (IVP) in 2019.

For more info about Sheila 's writing visit: www.sheilawiserowe.com

Nicholas Rowe

Dr. Nicholas Rowe holds a PhD in history, has taught in universities across the globe and currently is a college Dean and History Professor in Massachusetts.

Nicholas was the co-developer of the Honors program in Peace Studies and The Africa Peace Building Institute at St. Augustine College in South Africa.

Nick is passionate about healing, writing and ethnic and racial reconciliation.

Nick and Sheila have partnered with individuals, organizations, and churches from around the globe. These partners share their passion for promoting Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Healing and Reconciliation across gender, race and ethnic lines. Thus far Nick and Sheila have served alongside anointed leaders in Zambia, France, USA, Thailand, Lesotho and South Africa. He also is an academic based in the USA.

Where We've Served

UNITED STATES

Vision New England: The GO Conference
Christ The Redeemer Church
Bethel AME Church
Greater Boston Vineyard
Cambridge Community Fellowship Church
Life Church
Aletheia Church
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Eastern Nazarene College
Gordon College
William James College
The Boston Project
Kingdom Empowerment Center
Boston Praise Radio: Mental Health in the City

SOUTH AFRICA

Every Nation Church Rosebank
Soweto Vineyard Church
Malibongwe, Mother and Child Haven
Rebecca’s Well Projects
Emthonjeni Project
World Vision Southern Africa
Africa Peace Institute

FRANCE

St. Michael’s Church, Paris

ZAMBIA

Regional Peace Network