The Forty-Day Journey of Promise
Day Nineteen: Cross-Cultural Ministry
Note: Welcome to The Journey, our forty-day blog series from MLK Day through the end of Black History Month. We’re learning life lessons from the legacy of African American Christianity. The series is based upon material from my book Beyond the Suffering. To learn more about Beyond the Suffering, including downloading a free chapter, click here.
Pulpit Ministry: Expounding the Scriptures Relevantly
Solomon Northup was born free in Rhode Island. Well-educated, a successful businessman, a loving husband, and a devoted father, he traveled to Washington, DC on business. There he was kidnapped and then enslaved in Louisiana from age thirty-three to forty-five.
Solomon Northrup's Homecoming
In the narrative of these dozen horrible years, he boldly confronts the evils of slavery and his evil slave masters. Of one of his masters, his view is different. Though recognizing the inconsistency of this master, William Ford, a slave-owning Baptist preacher, Northup still notes:
“It is but simple justice to him when I say, in my opinion, there never was a more kind, noble, candid, Christian man than William Ford.”
Northup details Ford’s pastoral ministry to his slaves.
“We usually spent our Sabbaths at the opening, on which days our master would gather all his slaves about him, and read and expound the Scriptures. He sought to inculcate in our minds feelings of kindness towards each other, of dependence upon God—setting forth the rewards promised unto those who lead an upright and prayerful life. He spoke of the loving kindness of the Creator, and of the life that is to come.”
Pastor Ford related truth to life cross-culturally. Emphasizing the two great commandments, he taught Christians how to love one another and how to love God. Ford highlighted the character of God and the hope of heaven. Northup even recounts how Ford’s preaching led to the conviction and salvation of another slave, Sam.
Personal Ministry: Encouraging the Saints Relationally
Ford coupled his pulpit ministry with his personal ministry. Speaking of his time with Pastor Ford, Northup notes:
“That little paradise in the Great Pine Woods was the oasis in the desert, towards which my heart turned lovingly, during many years of bondage.”
Perhaps hard to imagine, but even in enslavement, even through ministry offered by a Baptist slave-owner, Northup experienced the ark of safety that is the “old ship of Zion.”
What was it about Ford’s life and ministry that so impacted Northup? During an extended trip by horseback and on foot to the Bayou, Ford “said many kind and cheering things to me on the way.” Ford knew how to speak life-giving words (Proverbs 18:21).
In exemplary fashion, Ford also used probing soul questions and spiritual conversations as he ministered to Northup.
“He interacted with me in regard to the various fears and emotions I had experienced during the day and night, and if I had felt, at any time, a desire to pray. I felt forsaken of the whole world, I answered him, and was praying mentally all the while.”
Northup testifies to Ford’s relational competence.
“So did that benignant man speak to me of this life and of the life hereafter; of the goodness and power of God, and of the vanity of earthly things, as we journeyed along the solitary road towards Bayou Boeuf.”
Join the Conversation (Post a Comment for a Chance to Receive a Copy of Beyond the Suffering)
1. Pastor Ford demonstrated cross-cultural competency in his pulpit and in his personal ministry. What specific aspects of his ministry could you emulate today?
2. How in the world was Northrup able to see any good in a man who kept him separated from his family?
