Dear George,⠀
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I’m sorry the color of your skin doesn’t matter enough to be treated with respect and dignity.⠀
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I’m sorry being unarmed doesn’t allow you to feel safe when just being a black man is still considered threatening.⠀
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I’m sorry you saying “I CAN’T BREATHE” repeatedly, didn’t cause the actions of the police to shift from brutal harassment to assistance and concern. ⠀
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I’m sorry they pretended to be doctors and thought because you could speak between grapes of air, you were ok. ⠀
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I’m sorry America is still played with racism and entitlement. ⠀
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I’m sorry you never had a chance because they had already made up in there mind you were guilty. ⠀
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I’m sorry 4 officers thought your life was useless. ⠀
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I’m sorry your family didn’t know your last “see you later” was your last “goodbye!” ⠀
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I’m sorry I have to write this, but not sorry for writing it. ⠀
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It’s time to awaken to these consisted injustices of people of color and be a part of a solution. ⠀
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God help us. ⠀
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God heal us. ⠀
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Good save us! ⠀
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Dear Church, I pray you to look at this and take a stand for what’s right, not what’s comfortable. ⠀
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You cannot say you love God and hate your brother…if so you are a liar. 1 John 4:20 (paraphrased)

Why?
 
When I first started writing Dear Church, I was very clear about what God was leading me to do and say. With every chapter, I could see the faces of readers who if fully invested, would be a part of a awe-inspiring beginning for the body of Christ at large. When I wrote the last word in the book, I sat back and smiled because I understood why God had shifted what I thought I was going to write into this little 5×5 book. I will tell you the truth; even though I felt good about what I had accomplished I still hoped it was good. A day later, after I completed the manuscript I sent it to my editor Anna.
 
Now, I have to take a moment and tell you about this woman who God literally sent to me. Anna is not only truly gifted at editing, she is the person God used as the catalyst to me publishing Dear Church myself.
 
How We Met
 
I was in a writers group on Facebook and had just completed my first book proposal. I asked if anyone knew of a great editor as I was in need. Immediately, the leader of the group typed Anna Floit. As the notifications kept coming from my post others chimed in and her name was mentioned over and over again. I went to her website and contacted her. We talked over the phone and she gave me her rate. With anxiety and a little fear, I sent my book proposal.
 
I had known I would write books as a 10 year old little girl, but I will tell you I did not think my writing was good enough. I knew amazing authors personally and as a lover of books period, had read so many books thinking “I wish I wrote like so and so.” I wasn’t sure how many redlines would be there when I opened the email she sent back the next day. (Yikes)
I wasn’t even sure if she would like what I wrote. Well…she did! Not only did she like it, she told me I was a great writer. Anna, who had worked with Best Selling Authors and authors in general, said I was a great writer. It shocked me, but built within me confidence and gave me back a breath I was holding for years. Now, I was ready.
 
The Little Black Book
 
It had been a little over a year since I had sent Anna anything to review due to a medical emergency in my family and me devoting my time to assisting in caring for a loved one. But from the first time she edited my work, she got me. Not only did she get me, she and I forged a friendship that continues to blossom. Like only God would do, my editor (for life), is a faithful, God- loving, fun, creative, passionate, Caucasian woman. She lives in Tennessee and has a heart of gold. When I hit send in the email for her to begin working on the edits, I knew if anyone would tell me the truth, but at the same time take in the message, it was Anna.
 
A few days later Anna sent the manuscript for Dear Church back to me with her edits. I was blown away as Anna not only allows my voice to be my voice, she was adding comments like “Yes” and “Preach sis!” Her enthusiasm and confidence in me and the message further confirmed we were right where we needed to be to begin the journey of creating this 3 volume series.
 
We discussed over a meal in Franklin Tennessee before the book was done her thoughts about me self-publishing. She believed in me and because she understood my why, said my words needed to stay my words because God had given me a message that was necessary. I told her I would pray. I trusted Anna and knew she only wanted what was best for me, but more than that, she wanted what was best for this book. She was right!
 
But Why?
 

One thing you have to know about me is I am not the person seeking the lime light. I actually prefer to be behind the scenes helping others become and shine. I often wonder why God chose me for certain moments, encounters, and places. I do not carry an ego and know that I am here to serve. I just want people to get “it”, and “it” for me is God.
 
So when I was being asked over and over again WHY I wrote Dear Church, my answer was simple:
 
“It wasn’t the dream of becoming a best selling author. It was the dream of seeing the Church (God’s people), shift, turn, and become.”
 

This was and is my Why?
 
See I wrote Dear Church for souls like Karen Silver McLain who wrote the following review after getting and advance reader copy (ARC) for being on my launch team. She sent out a tweet which warmed my heart and caused my eyes to well with tears.
 
“I received an advance copy of Dear Church by Kai A. Pineda, not knowing it would impact my own heart and cause me to search deeper than I ever have.” #DearChurchBook #soulsearch. – @karenmclain3
 
In a simple tweet, my why was living.
 
What’s Next?
 
Now my hope is to see my “why” spread like wild fire all across this country and beyond. I hope one reader at a time, one heart at a time, people share with their friends, ministries, and others about this little black book written for them. I believe it will happen and together we can begin to see lasting transformation.
 
I am almost done with Dear Church Vol 2 and it will be released in April of 2020. It is affecting me and deepening me. My why isn’t changing as we go to the next place on this journey.
Please know this; you and every person who will ever read these books are my why.
 

In January of this year, I began working on a dream God had given me when I was 10 years old. With every passing year, I held on to this big dream of mine knowing one day it would be time. Thanks to good friends and a loving and supportive family, I leaped into unknown territory with both excitement and nervousness. Over the years as I’ve traveled teaching the Word of God, leading worship, and working alongside other leaders, I was afforded opportunities to connect and meet various people. During one of those times, I was invited to join a group of individuals whose dreams were like mine. It was a group I felt unqualified to join because many of my peers were doing, while I was still dreaming.

 

Upon my initial invitation, I told our instructor I thought he invited me by mistake. I was wrong! It was not only for me, but it brought my dream to the forefront and challenged me to stop waiting, comparing, and stalling. As I put my ideas on paper, the thing I thought would be first shifted. God had another plan altogether. His plan unfolded as He narrated each step with the church in mind. My heart was stirring and the burden I carried for the Bride of Christ pushed me forward. I committed to finishing my project by April 9th, as a birthday gift to myself. I would not only celebrate another year of life but the beginning of a promise.

 

Today, I introduce to you my first book. Yes… it’s a book! I have written the first volume of a three volume series entitled “Dear Church” I’m excited to release this first installment into the world on October 3rd, 2019. I believe it will begin conversations we need to have, and unite the children of God in a way many have been longing to see. I’ve started Facebook and Instagram pages specifically to share, update, and promote the book. I’d love for you to join me on this journey.

 

There are exciting things I am working on just for you, and I don’t want you to miss a thing!

Submitted to serve,