As daunting and absurd as it may seem, next summer I will be spending my days writing a book.

I will be traveling across the states (and possibly across the pond) to write a book about loving your neighbor as yourself. To paint a broad stroke, I will visit people, churches, and communities that are doing a great job of loving their neighbors, as we were called to do by Jesus.

The very core of my idea came from Wendell Berry’s “Blessed are the Peacemakers” which outlines the concept that it is fashionable to be a Christian, but not fashionable to act as Christ taught. And although Mr. Berry goes onto specifically discuss the concept of peace and war, he brought me to my own idea: Why do we so often neglect the central tenant of Jesus’ teachings to love our neighbors. From gender to race to socioeconomic status to much more, I hope to find places where people are taking a step further than writing a check once a year, and are desiring and living in a community centered on loving those around them, as Jesus taught.

I am very gracious of the Morehead-Cain for funding and giving me the thumbs-up to road trip around the country and write and meet great people and see beautiful places.

Although I have quite a few people set in stone that I would like to meet, speak with, and spend time with in their respective communities, I am always looking for other ideas and would love to hear any people or places you’ve come across.

–David Ray

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” –Henry David Thoreau