Black History And The Truth About Jesus Conference Answers Questions Regarding Christianity and African Americans

Berkeley, CA (PRWeb) January 29, 2007 -- When you hear the name "Jesus" what images and thoughts come to mind?



Devotion to Jesus has been a large part of the African-American experience. The black church has been and continues to be a powerful force in the African-American community. But many are questioning the propriety of African-Americans following Jesus. Charles Gilmer who is going to be a conference speaker at "The Truth About Jesus" Conference, February 10th - 11th, 2007 at the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley, asks the question … "Should we, as black people, follow this Jesus?"

Charles Gilmer is both President and Chairman of the Board of the Impact Movement (http://www.impactmovement.com) which reaches thousands of African-American college students across the country in the name of Jesus Christ. Founded by Tom Fritz in 1991 and known today primarily for the National Impact Conference which is held biennially and reaches more than 2,200 conferees, the Impact Movement has become a rallying point for African-American college students, high school students, and alumni. The Impact Movement's mission is to mobilize African-American leaders to reach the lost and build believers on campuses, in our community, in Africa and the Diaspora. Their vision is to see the African-American Community fulfill its destiny as a reflection of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

The "Truth About Jesus" conference is being hosted by the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley, where Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., is Pastor. Conference registration is free and refreshments will be served after the 9:30am -- Saturday and Sunday, February 10-11, 2007 sessions. For directions and/or more information please visit the web site at: http://progressive4life.org. The purpose of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is to bring glory to God by exalting Jesus Christ through worship, evangelizing the unsaved through mission, equipping the saints for ministry through discipleship, engaging the un-churched through fellowship and empowering the members through service.

This important conference will address seven (7) key questions:

1. Is the Bible credible? Isn't it just a European book that has little to do with our people?

2. Isn't Christianity a late arrival in Africa? Isn't it a foreign religion to Africa and Africans?
3. Well, didn't Christians start, perpetuate and defend American slavery?

4. What was the attitude of the slaves through all of this? How could our forefathers embrace the religion of their oppressors?

5. Wasn't the white church an accomplice to our ongoing oppression and isn't the black church a pacifying agent in our struggle for freedom?

6. What happened to our "Old Time Religion"? Why does the African-American church struggle to gain the allegiance of the emerging generation?

7. What should we do now? How can we honor our history, respond to the present, and build a viable, vibrant future for our people?

Many of these questions persist in the minds of many African-American's today. Charles Gilmer has this to say to the African-American community: "The truth about Jesus is that He is our only sure and lasting hope. Black people were not an afterthought, nor has He relegated us to some secondary position in His kingdom. African people have been a part of His working from the beginning. He is the Savior of all mankind and He will work in the midst of any people who place their trust in Him. The history of African-Americans is an illustration of this fact. And He awaits our response to manifest His love and power to us once again. God has a purpose for African-Americans. We were created for a noble, yes, even a divine destiny. As we follow Him, we will fulfill that destiny. A destiny of eternal significance. A destiny of present impact on our community. A destiny that maximizes the potential God built into you when He created you. There is no higher calling, and no better life."

This year the members of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley are celebrating 72 years of ministry in the city of Berkeley, California. The church's address is 3301 King Street, Berkeley, California 94703-2623, the phone number is (510) 655-3660 and the fax number is (510) 655-0432. The conference starts 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday, February 10-11, 2007. Everyone is welcome, please bring a friend.

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