News

Black History Month: 20 Stories Christians Should Know

Meet the leaders, activists, ministers, and artists who changed the church and the world.

Christianity Today February 21, 2020
Illustration by Rick Szuecs / Source images: Archive Photos / Reg Lancaster / Stringer / Getty / Time & Life Pictures / Getty / Library of Congress

In honor of Black History Month, we remember and celebrate the powerful work of God in and through the lives of influential African Americans. From enslaved Christians and abolitionists through the Jim Crow era to civil rights figures, the believers featured in these articles served as leaders in the church and powerfully impacted society.

In addition to the 20 articles below, you can also read our pieces examining important events in African American Christianity prior to the Civil War, the theology conveyed in spirituals, the dark history of lynching in America, and the impact of the Great Migration on worship music. Finally, you can read “God’s Place in Black History” which discusses how lessons from the past can impact the church today.

Our Latest

News

Refugee Arrests Shatter Sense of Safety in Minnesota

A federal judge ruled that ICE can no longer arrest legally admitted refugees in the state, many of whom are persecuted Christians. But damage has been done.

Inside the Ministry

The Big Tent Initiative

Anne Kerhoulas

The Big Tent Initiative is building bridges across the American Church.

Christian Devotion Does Not Undermine Christian Charity

Brett Vanderzee

When Christians neglect the poor and oppressed, it’s not because we love Jesus too much but because we love him too little.

This Winter, Be Bored

This slow and quiet season is an opportunity to hear anew from God.

Nicki Minaj Is Right on Persecution—But Neglects Suffering Closer to Home

Chris Butler

The rapper’s political advocacy seems sincere, but she has fallen into political tribalism.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Ruth Malhotra: The Woman Who Told The Truth About Ravi Zacharias

The harrowing story of whistleblowing from the inside.

Public Theology Project

What Happens When You Look Away from the Minneapolis Shootings

Ask not what will happen to your country—although that’s of grave importance. Ask what will happen to you.

How to Witness Well in Post-Christian America

Darrell Bock

We must engage the truth of the gospel with relationship and respect.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube