Black Protestants
Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy
By Adelle M. Banks — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — After many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.’s Facebook page.
Biden praises Black churches and says the world would be a different place without their example
By Zeke Miller — January 29, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The president is trying to spread the message that he's loyal to South Carolina, which saved his campaign in 2020.
Agriculture Department, COGIC make plans for funds to add trees to urban centers
By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said ‘structuring this program so that it's empowering more tree planting and more workforce development gives us the opportunity to partner with the church.’
William Barber on recruiting low-wage voters, Biden’s record on poverty
By Kathryn Post — January 19, 2024
(RNS) — 'If you leave this many people in poverty and low wealth, you open up the door for demagogues and people who will use people’s fears and hurts against them,' said the Rev. William Barber.
MLK summit for Gaza highlighted historic ties between civil rights and Palestinian liberation
By Ben Norquist — January 17, 2024
CHICAGO (RNS) — Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson and his longtime friend and collaborator James Zogby helped convene the gathering of nearly 2,000 faith leaders over MLK weekend.
Chicago pastors help the city grapple with flood of migrants
By Rebekah Barber — January 17, 2024
(RNS) — ‘There’s already plenty of need present in this community,’ said one faith leader. The challenge is to make the situation work for both longtime residents and migrants arriving from the border.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Bishop T.D. Jakes continues longtime commitment to Md. revival in wake of rumors
By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2024
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (RNS) — ‘I love you back,’ he told those who welcomed him back to the revival. ‘I feel your prayers. I’m thankful to God for them.’
Religious leaders to mark MLK Day with early start for 2024 voter mobilization
By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2024
(RNS) — 'We're starting early because we need to spend a lot more time educating people about how to vote, how to vote against the rising tide of misinformation,' said the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner.
A new biblical epic, ‘The Book of Clarence,’ captures the political side of the messiah
By Andre Henry — January 11, 2024
(RNS) — An irreverent biblical comedy counters decades of whitewashed and stiff-necked biblical narratives.
Biden calls out ‘poison’ of white supremacy in address at Mother Emanuel in S.C.
By Adelle M. Banks — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — Biden’s remarks were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters shouting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. In return, people in the pews started calling out “Four More Years.”
Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach
By Adelle M. Banks — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I would hope and pray that the community comes and hears and gets excited, gets energized about the 2024 election,’ said the church’s pastor.
Pandemic boosted resilience, hurt financial health of Black churches, says report
By Adelle M. Banks — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — A new report highlights the challenges faced by Black and multiracial congregations, as well as their resilience, in the wake of COVID-19.
How Philadelphia’s faith communities held together as Oct. 7 attack tested ties
By Tori Luecking — January 2, 2024
(RNS) — Interfaith bonds fostered by Jewish, Christian and Muslim groups before the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas have allowed the groups to pull together despite a spike in hate incidents.
What does Watch Night mean for Black Americans today? It dates back to the Emancipation Proclamation
By Associated Press — January 1, 2024
Watch Night is still being observed each New Year's Eve, at many multiracial and predominantly Black churches across the country.
