Watch the Premiere + Join the Free Panel Discussion
Join us on Thursday, July 31, for a free panel discussion and Q&A with the host and producers of Black + Evangelical, a new documentary that highlights the history and struggles of African American evangelicals.
A brainchild of Christianity Today and Wheaton College, the film tells the story of believers who sit at the crossroads of faith and race, straddling the divergent worlds of Black and white Christianity in America.
We encourage you to watch the feature film and then join us on Zoom, where you will hear directly from the makers and be able to submit your questions. Get ready for an evening of reflection and a relevant, meaningful conversation with you, the audience.
Join the LIVE Panel Discussion | July 31 | 7 p.m. EST
What people are saying about the film:
“Black + Evangelical chronicles the history and challenges of African Americans who historically identified themselves as ‘evangelicals’ in America. The documentary highlights the tensions and contradictions that have emerged over the decades when Christian unity around theology was disrupted by racism in the church. As the very definition of ‘evangelicalism’ has morphed from a theological worldview to a political and racialized one, African American believers have had to navigate the divide over social injustice and the politicization of Christianity. This documentary brings the powerful story of the hidden history of African American pioneers in ‘white’ evangelical spaces and places. You will learn, you will mourn, and you will pray after watching this important story.” — C. Jeffrey Wright, CEO of Urban Ministries, Inc.
“The documentary adds more context and gives a different view of evangelicalism. This is a story that needs to be told about Black people and the way they engage in the evangelical world without it being tied to white evangelicalism, or Trumpism. It is in its own lane.” — Lisa Fields, CEO and founder of the Jude 3 Project
“In our present cultural context, the mediated idea of ‘Evangelical’ has become more a political position than a profession of faith. Those who have been labeled ‘Black’ understand the weight of assigned identities. The labels we use to modify our Christian confession both divide us and unite us. Like the fig tree with only leaves, our society is seeing the fruitlessness of believing that labels and laws convey more than truthful stories of shared experiences. Even as we highlight the Ten Commandments, we must recognize the covenant is set against the actions of God to liberate an enslaved people. The biblical narrative testifies to who God is by rehearsing stories of those who encountered the Creator-Covenanting God made known in Jesus. The origins of evangelicalism pointed to a commitment to telling others that Jesus’ life-transforming message, though deeply misunderstood, makes available to everyone the hope of the in-breaking peace of God. This documentary rehearses the context and history of why there remains a commitment among some to reclaim and retain an understanding of what it means to be Evangelical.” — Joy J. Moore, president of Northern Seminary
“In many ways, this documentary encapsulates both my spiritual and professional journeys. As CT’s first Black editorial team member back in the early 1990s, I was learning in real time what it meant to be both a journalist and a Black evangelical. And though I didn’t fully appreciate it when it was happening, I had the privilege of receiving a firsthand education from many of the incredible leaders whom we profile in the film. To be able to partner with my friend, the brilliant Dr. Vince Bacote, to finally tell these stories is truly a dream come true.” — Ed Gilbreath, award-winning journalist, editor, and author
Sho Baraka
Editorial Director
Feedback and Talkback
As we build this newsletter and Big Tent Initiative, we would love your feedback and engagement. We plan to publish articles, host webinars, create podcasts, and more to meet the needs of our Big Tent audiences. What are some topics that you would like us to address?
We also want to highlight what’s on our shelves, our playlists, and our screens. Share your list with us, and we will select a few to include in our next newsletter. Contact us at bigtent@christianitytoday.com.
In Case You Missed It
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