W. E. B. Du Bois called the slave spirituals “Sorrow Songs,” but he found more than sorrow in their rhythm and rhyme: “Through all the Sorrow Songs there breathes a hope – a faith in the ultimate justice of things. The minor cadences of despair change often to triumph and calm confidence. Sometimes it is faith in life, sometimes a faith in death, sometimes assurance of boundless justice in some fair world beyond. But whichever it is, the meaning is always clear: that sometime, somewhere, men will judge men by their souls and not by their skins.”

The Sorrow Songs reveal a tension between sorrow and joy, death and life, despair and hope. That same tension permeates the story of race relations and pursuit of justice, healing, and unity in American Christianity. Session leaders explore challenges and opportunities in the work of racial justice, healing, and unity.

Hosted by James L. Gorman, this pathway took place in ACU’s Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on Monday, September 16, 2019.

Sessions

How Did We Get Here? A Short History of Race Relations in American Christianity (James L. Gorman)

Race relations in America have created deep divisions and painful wounds. This session briefly explains key developments in the history of race relations in American Christianity, from the colonial era to the present. Raise your historical awareness of why worship gatherings on Sunday mornings in 2019 are still largely segregated by race.

Cultivating Cultural Awareness (April B. Napier)

It is essential to consider how one’s individual perspective of cultural norms coincides with self-reflection and healing in forming solutions to address community disconnect. This session will explore emotional intelligence, coping strategies, and self-efficacy to raise awareness of our personal attributes and how they are connected to our interactions within cultural engagement.

Challenges and Opportunities in Multiracial Congregational Ministry (B. Chris Simpson)

Ministering in multicultural congregations presents challenges and opportunities. In this session, Simpson draws on 12 years of experience in multiracial ministry to explore a growing and important means of bringing racially diverse Christians together in meaningful relationships and Christian fellowship for the purpose of reaching the world with the gospel.

Racial Healing and Young Adult Spiritual Formation (LJ Brodie, Gema Perez, Takuma Tsuneki, and Jackson Womack)

This session draws on the experiences of four young adults to explore challenges and opportunities for faith leaders who seek racial healing and spiritual formation. Participants respond to questions about their personal experience with racial division in a religious context. This session was offered in collaboration with the Faith Among Emerging Adults pathway. At the speakers’ request, this session was not recorded.

What Should We Do? Best Practices for Racial Justice, Healing, and Unity (James L. Gorman, April B. Napier, B. Chris Simpson, and Douglas A. Foster)

This concluding session features a roundtable discussion between the panelists and special guest Douglas A. Foster, as well as Q&A time. What are we already doing and what more can we do to overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities we learned about in prior sessions?

Speakers

LJ BRODIE

LJ Brodie is a junior musical theatre and dance major from Mesquite, Texas. He has been in productions in Abilene such as West Side Story, short films like The Brotherhood, and dance shows such as Struggle to Strength with Sanctify Hip Hop Co. When he’s not on stage, he is either listening to music, planning trips, or enjoying the beauty of nature.

DOUGLAS A. FOSTER

Douglas A. Foster is scholar in residence at Abilene Christian University, where he taught church history and directed the Center for Restoration Studies from 1991-2017. His work has centered on the history and theology of Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, Christian unity, the ideology of white supremacy in Christianity, and efforts to effect racial unity. Eerdmans will publish his biography of Alexander Campbell in early 2020. Doug and his wife Linda have two children, Mary Elizabeth Riedel and Mark, and two grandchildren.

JAMES L. GORMAN

James L. Gorman is associate professor of history at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he resides with his wife and two daughters. He earned his M.Div. from ACU and his Ph.D. from Baylor University. His research interests include history of Christianity, Stone-Campbell Movement history, and race relations. James authored Among the Early Evangelicals (ACU Press, 2017) and co-edited Slavery’s Long Shadow: Race and Reconciliation in American Christianity (Eerdmans, 2019). He also serves as assistant editor of Stone-Campbell Journal.

APRIL B. NAPIER

April B. Napier serves as director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Abilene Christian University. She holds a master’s in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and is currently pursuing a doctorate in social work from University of Southern California. Coming from a diverse background, she seeks to create models combining empirical research and experiential testimonies to provide intervention strategies, empowerment, education, awareness, and restoration through societal challenges in a therapeutic and empathetic manner. April has conducted work in juvenile justice and adult male incarceration reform, diversity and inclusion initiatives, cultural awareness and trainings, and community efficacy and reform. She also was an assistant professor in social work at Lincoln University, serving to enhance the educational experience and create an inclusive learning environment for students and teachers. April has created a platform for artistic expression and collective healing. She uses her artistic nature to share her testimony and empower others to collectively share, express, and heal. Joining the movement of “artivism,” she uses artistic expression to address social justice concerns within society, as well as shining light on bridging the gap in identity disparities.

GEMA PÉREZ

Gema Pérez will receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a concentration in graphic design, in May 2020. Gema is a Xicana (Mexican American who embraces her ‘mexicanidad’), and a first-generation college student who is determined to promote her passion for her culture, diversity, all things empowerment, and unity through the power of art and design.

B. CHRIS SIMPSON

B. Chris Simpson is passionate about multicultural ministry and helping to heal race relations in our society. He ministers at the Holmes Road Church of Christ, a multiracial congregation in Memphis, Tennessee. He has a passion to care for the local congregation, the community, and the “emerging generation.” B. Chris has worked in children’s, youth, campus, young adult and preaching ministries in Dallas, St. Louis, and Memphis. He has served on the board of different community organizations that emphasize education and urban renewal. He currently serves on the board of Hope Works Inc., a non-profit organization that offers education and skills to the under-resourced and previously incarcerated in Shelby County, Tennessee. He is privileged to have traveled throughout the country for 13 years speaking to churches and organizations on a number of topics. He and his wife Halley have two children, Elle and Grey.

TAKUMA TSUNEKI

Takuma Tsuneki is a junior studying English with a Bible minor. He has served as the chaplain for ACU’s International Student Association (ISA) and enjoys worshipping with people from a variety of backgrounds. Though he was born in Japan, Takuma lived in the U.S. for several years as a child, and he hopes to use this experience and the variety of other experiences he has had of various international cultures to serve God and the church.

JACKSON WOMACK

Jackson Womack is a junior fine arts major and a graphic design minor, with a concentration in painting. Jackson has been heavily involved in the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ events and was the president of Voice during the 2018-2019 school year. His mission here at ACU is to help support, educate, and inspire through kindness, clarity, and respect. Born in La Gomera, Guatemala, Jackson was adopted and raised in the States but always remembers his roots and does what he can to support and reach out to other minority students on campus, treating them with the love God calls us all to show each other.