Black History Month 5: Black Berea

Since 1987, October has been designated as “Black History Month” in the United Kingdom. This is an annual opportunity to reflect specifically on the men and women of the African diaspora, and to commemorate their courage and contributions. I have been publishing articles relevant to Black History Month - especially but not necessarily limited to short biographies of often neglected or largely forgotten black men in Britain that I hope might prompt further reading and research. Today’s post is different, as it is about an important ministry to Black British people and a link to a podcast conversation I recently had with them on the subject of social justice. Do listen, and use this as an opportunity to catch up on reading the articles I have published so far.

Black Berea 

I recently had the enjoyable opportunity of sitting down with two other pastors and Black Berea to chop it up about social justice.

What is “Black Berea”? In summary, Black Berea is a group of black British people of historic, orthodox Christian faith that engage issues within the Black British community and wider culture with a biblical worldview and the gospel through online resources and events. They have already introduced themselves quite nicely on their website, so I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting below: 

"

Who are Black Berea?

We are a group of Christians from London, UK who desire to engage the culture and community around us with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why Black?

We care to see the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ reach every tribe and tongue, yet we feel a particular burden towards those within the black British demographic. Such a passion is not to be juxtaposed with biblical fidelity, for Paul can testify in Romans of his desire for all men to know of God's saving grace, whilst mentioning a special care for his "brothers" and "kinsmen according to the flesh".

Why Berea?

Acts 17:11 speaks of the Jews in Berea as more "noble" when contrasting them with the Jews in Thessalonica. The reason for the name stems from the cause of this affirmation. When presented with truth, we are told that "they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so". We as a team believe that all theology must find it's authority in the scriptures alone, otherwise, when scrutinised, it will fail like the house built on sinking sand.

Vision Statement

Black Berea hopes to see people saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit leading to head, heart, and hands acting according to the truth of God's word.

Mission Statement

Black Berea exists to promote a Christian worldview that impacts the way people understand the bible, theology, culture and life.

"

Alongside me as guests on the podcast were Kehinde Omotayo and Yannick Christos-Wahab. I had met Kehinde several years ago at his graduation from London Theological Seminary but our paths have not crossed since then. He leads the Lauriston Road Evangelical Reformed Church in Hackney, a large congregation comprised especially I am told of young Black British people. I had not met Yannick before but much enjoyed it – not least as he knows my uncle Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, having recently graduated from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama and we have a shared love and respect for Dr. Robert Smith. Yannick was on staff at Iron City Church in Birmingham, Alabama and now serves as an elder at Brixton Local Church – known as BLoC. 

For more about Black Berea, previous podcasts, and upcoming events, check out their website: https://www.blackberea.com/

Listen to our discussion below: