‘Black Light’ Course

The Black Light course was developed 25 years ago by Les Isaac (Founder of the Ascension Trust, which runs Street Pastors) and Stuart Murray Williams (Trainer and consultant with the Anabaptist Network and Urban Expression). The course is not a knee-jerk response to current issues, therefore, but an ongoing engagement with contemporary concerns about racism and injustice. Nearly 180 people registered for the online Black Light course that ran three times in 2021/2022. The course will run again via Zoom over eight Thursday evenings from 29 September to 24 November 2022.

The Black Light Course explores the presence and contributions of black people in the Bible, in church history and in Britain today. It celebrates the remarkable growth of the church in Africa and the exciting ‘reverse mission’ impact on Europe. It does not shy away from looking at the legacies of Christendom and colonialism, but invites creativity and courage in seizing the opportunities that are emerging. The course is political only inasmuch that Jesus himself was political in the things he said and did, in the way he challenged the status quo in his announcement of a new politics called ‘The Kingdom of God.’ The course is not guilt-inducing, but rather challenging as it invites participants to recover lost aspects of their histories, to reflect on their attitudes and relationships, and to ask what it means to follow Jesus in a multi-ethnic society.

The hosts and presenters are followers of Jesus, church leaders and leaders of mission agencies, black and white, from different backgrounds and with different areas of expertise. Some of them taught on the first course in 1997; others are younger and bring fresh perspectives. They include midlands-based Bev Thomas (Lecturer at ForMission College), Robert Beckford (Professor of Black Theology at The Queen’s Foundation) and Dan Yarnell (Birmingham Campus Leader at ForMission College).

Participation is open to all, but is especially relevant tor church leaders, youth leaders, mission leaders and those interested in evangelism, justice, healthy churches and peaceful communities. There is no hidden agenda, but the hope is that the course will not only inform but inspire, challenge and equip, and result in new forms of partnership between black and white Christians – and between churches in seeking the Kingdom of God.

The course is sponsored by the Ascension Trust (Link HERE) and Urban Expression (Link HERE). Full course information and registration via THIS LINK, or contact mailto:admin@urbanexpression.org.uk.