Black Light course

Ascension Trust CEO, Bejoy Pal, explains why this three decades old course sadly still remains relevant today.

Racial Justice Sunday on the 9 Feb provides the church with a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate that many churches across England are seeing increasing diversity fill their congregations and fellowships, acknowledging the way the Kingdom of Heaven is available for people from all backgrounds, cultures and creeds. The expression of prayer, worship, teaching and praise from backgrounds unfamiliar to our own, can help us tap into a knowledge and revelation of Jesus and the Holy Spirit that we may have never experienced before.

Nearly 30 years ago in South East London, Stuart Murray-Williams, an urban church planter with Urban Expression, and Les Isaac, leader of a young organisation called the Ascension Trust, created a resource to help Christians do just that, called Black Light. This course was first run as an opportunity for ‘Black’ Christians to dig deeper into their history and think about contemporary challenges and opportunities, and for ‘White’ Christians to learn more about the history, spirituality and faith of Black Christians and churches. Black and White presenters and participants shared a rich learning experience.

Since then, we’ve seen further growth in the Black majority churches; however, there is also a need to recognise that inequalities are still being experienced by many of our brothers and sisters from a Global Majority heritage inside as well as outside the church. Many churches are struggling to reach out beyond their own ethnic group or to hold on to their children and young people because of a perceived lack of tackling the issues. Efforts at partnership and mutual learning have often floundered. Overt and institutional racism has been evident.

The thread of justice is woven through the whole Bible, and is also clear in the character and ministry of Jesus. The passages in Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1:17 are some well-known highlights of God’s mission to stand with and for all who are experiencing unfair and unjust treatment and exclusion or in areas of extreme need and vulnerability. But this is more than just a call to social action. These passages highlights God’s heart for all people in the world to be respected and treated justly.

The Black Light course crucially creates courageous listening spaces for people to share their own experiences and stories that help people understand the nature of hurt caused through racism. It is also intentional in stating that this is a journey that we all need to be on together. It does not shy away from looking at the legacies of Christendom and colonialism, but it encourages creativity and courage.

Topics covered

  • The Black Presence in the Bible
  • The Black Influence on Church History
  • Post-colonialism and Post-Christendom
  • African Christianity in Western Europe

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and some 20 years on from that first Black Light Course the content was revised and updated. ​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 taught on the first course in 1997; others are younger and bring fresh perspectives.

The course is relevant to church leaders, youth leaders, mission leaders and anyone interested in evangelism, justice, healthy churches and peaceful communities. It is a great Bible study resource and could make a great shared activity for a local Churches Together group. The next Black Light course will be online and starts in May.

The Ascension Trust is a Charity and Network in Association with Churches Together in England.