Josephine Bakhita died on this day in 1947. She was a remarkable believer who reveled in the love of God and lived her life in service to Him, despite the years she suffered in abusive slavery. Born around the year 1869 in the troubled region of Darfur in Sudan, she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders while still a child, in about 1877. This began a horrific 12-year ordeal as a slave.
Pastor and author Tony Evans says Christians should support Black History Month as a way to embrace unity and diversity within the church, saying “God does His best work” when the body of Christ is walking together.
The PBS series The Black Church recently highlighted the history and the contribution of the Black Church to American life and the broader Christian church. Many Christians do not know the rich history of the Black church, so, in that spirit, this article shares seven Black Christian Leaders you should know about. Each one has made or is making a unique contribution to the larger Christian church.
As with any list of this nature, there will be people the author omitted who could have been included. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather is intended to introduce you to some Black Christian leaders, both present and future, whose ministries are a blessing to the larger church and who whose ministries would make a significant impact in your Christian life.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstock/Getty Images
Frederick Douglass’s life was a marvelous fusion of biblical teaching, conversion, personal piety, and social action. His life and work had a profound impact on the United States and beyond, and was shaped by his conviction that we are all made in the image of God.
In 1926, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History dubbed the second week of February Negro History Week. The date was meant to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass. In 1976, the week evolved into a month, and Black History Month was born. Each year, February is designated by the U.S. president as Black History Month. The long-held tradition aims to celebrate the achievements made by African Americans and to highlight the role Black people have played in America’s history.
Here are nine inspiring quotes by Black American leaders:
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Janusz T.
