Reviews
"I offer high praise for Dr. Glenn Porter's new and exciting book, Journey With Jesus Through Black History! In a season of banning books that tell the truth about race, dismantling every mechanism for redressing racial wrongs, and newly unleashing the ancient forces of racism and oppression, Glenn Porter has done the Church and the world a great service. I was buoyed to be reminded that when all other protections, respect, and security for African Americans are systematically being stripped away, 'Jesus continued.'" (p. 109) – Peter Wherry, inaugural Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Howard University School of Divinity, and Lead Pastor of the Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.
“Dr. Glenn Porter takes us on a unique journey of spiritual discovery, juxtaposing Christ’s message with the rich tapestry of Black heritage. As we in America currently witness the continued banning of books about Black History, Black Culture, and Black life from public education to erase America’s original sin of racism, Dr. Porter’s literary contribution is a much-needed resource. This work highlights how faith has shaped and been shaped by the experiences of Black Americans throughout history. The timeliness of this book carries forth the traditional thread of hope affording readers and researchers a rigorous and productive engagement with the themes and the intent of this work. Pastors, laypersons, researchers, and historians will benefit from this invaluable publication.” —Wayne E. Croft, Sr. D.Min., Ph.D., Pastor, St. Paul’s Baptist Church - West Chester, PA, Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics, United Lutheran Seminary, PA
“Dr. Porter presents relevant material in this beautifully crafted, easy-to-read book about the need to highlight Black accomplishments and contributions to America and the world community every day. Operating in his own academic excellence, he guides us from the book of Luke in the Bible to the urgency in the proclamation of Black History by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 to our modern-day history-making African Americans. Dr. Glenn Porter defines the lens through which we must view the Black struggles and success to set the record straight so the generations following will not be clueless in the absence of a trustworthy narrative.” —Reverend Dr. James & Reverend Delores W. Edwards, lll, Retired Pastor/Authors, 54th. President of The Tidewater Metro Baptist Conference of VA.
“In Journey with Jesus through Black History, Glenn E. Porter manages to capture the heart, soul, and vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s dream for the promotion and preservation of accessible studies of African American history. The collected sermons and resources in this volume offer an expansive story of Black life and culture.”— Sylvia Y. Cyrus, Executive Director of Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the founders of Black History Month
“Founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Dr. Carter G. Woodson offered the following: “The historian is the prophet looking backward.” Recorded history is written within a people’s worldview and values. Not only are historical accounts documentation of the past, but such narratives also offer profound insight into a people’s lived experiences that model success for future generations. Written by a community pastoral practitioner and scholar, Dr. Glenn Porter, Journey with Jesus through Black History is an instructive and interactive book explicating the relevance of teaching the Black experience in church school curricula. The book is for church and constituent leaders and high school and college students who are seeking to align culture and history with the prophetic gospel of the African Messiah, Jesus. Dr. Porter’s work illustrates the importance of utilizing local elders and thought leaders who offer cultural lessons to ground the participant in the good news of Jesus Christ. In this 21st century moment of anti-Blackness, it is a vital teaching tool for Sabbath Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, young adult training, and rites of passage programs that should be found in every serious Black church that prioritizes Christian and Black cultural development in the community.” —Colita Nichols Fairfax, Ph. D., Professor, Norfolk State University, Founding member of the Hampton Roads Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History
“In Journey with Jesus Through Black History, Dr. Porter makes an excellent case of why Black history must be preserved and shared—well beyond the month of February—as he traces the origins of Black History Month through Carter G. Woodson's vision and tenacity, while also weaving Woodson's narrative (and those of many others), with scriptural passages from the Gospel of Luke. As opposing deliberate legislative efforts seek to erase portions of Black History and rewrite its significance, Porter compares, contrasts, and juxtaposes the stories of celebrated Black figures, along with the story of Jesus as recorded in Luke to honor a history that many are trying to undermine. Porter's sermonic accounts and historical narratives are great reading for all communities, with supplemental reading lists and suggested activities that really personalize the lessons he shares. I HIGHLY recommend this wonderful work!”—Jonathan C. Augustine serves as senior pastor at St. Joseph AME Church (Durham, NC). He has taught at Duke Divinity School and was a member of the inaugural faculty at the Hampton University School of Religion. He is the author of When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit (Fortress Press, 2023) and Called to Reconciliation: How the Church Can Model Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion (Baker Academic, 2022).
“With consummate skill and insight, Dr. Glenn E. Porter has demonstrated how preaching and exposition may lift up African American history, theology, and lived experience, so that we all may gain wisdom and inspiration. Indeed, African American history is integral to American history properly understood. In each chapter, Porter provides his readers with creative activities and suggested resources to help them delve deeper into much-needed lessons from the past and present.”—Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, Baptist World Alliance Historian; Retired ABCUSA General Secretary
“Dr. Porter interweaves the liberating message of Luke's gospel with Carter G. Woodson's well-documented historical accounts of Africans in America. With skill and precision, Porter illustrates how one finds the historical truth amid the well-calculated distortions running rampant in our society. This book is an essential read for students of history and religion, especially those studying Homiletics and Practical Theology. What a great addition to our course bibliography for Preaching the Gospel in Context!” —Dr. Ray McKenzie, Instructor, Practical Theology and Homiletics, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
“In these trying times when the mission to strangle civil rights is crystal clear, Journey with Jesus through Black History arms us with a renewed cultural and spiritual strength for our unending battle against relentless discrimination and historical obliteration. This book illuminates both the Word and the monumental cultural legacy of the African American community, making it an invaluable tool for our faith and our struggle for freedom.” — Bruce Smith, Pro Football Hall of Famer
Author Bio
Glenn E. Porter, MDiv, DMin, combines ministry and media. He is senior pastor at Queen Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia, contributing writer at The Christian Citizen, co-editor with Jonathan C. Augustine of Leadership in Times of Crisis: Alpha Phi Alpha's Ministers as Prophets, Priests, and Kings (ROM Digital Ink Press, 2024), and author of Journey With Jesus Through Lent (Judson Press, 2017). He is also an associate chaplain with Sentara Hospitals in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Please visit www.drgporter.com for more information or engagement requests.