A New Citizenry in an Old South: The Story of the First Black Church of Christ in Georgia

by LeRoy Butler Jr.

Overview

A New Citizenry In An Old South tells the story of the establishment and expansion of the first black congregation of the Church of Christ in the state of Georgia. Set in the middle of the Great Depression in the small rural town of Valdosta, Georgia, the author uncovers an extraordinary story of unparalleled achievement. The book describes the bitter irony that black preachers had to face as they implored their brothers and sisters to crown Jesus Christ Lord of their lives while living in a region of the country where Jim Crow was king.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781503588035
Publisher:	Xlibris US
Publication date:	09/10/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	292
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Leroy Butler, Jr. is a spiritual shepherd and senior Minister of the Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ in his hometown of Valdosta, Georgia. A fourth generation member of the Church of Christ, he has led the congregation where he and his four siblings grew up for more than 33 years. He is the youngest of five and the second of his mother's three sons to enter the ministry. He has inspired audiences with the gospel of God's grace from coast to coast, in 92 cities in 23 states and three foreign countries. He is an author, preacher, teacher, entrepreneur, life coach and host of the very popular "Back to the Bible" radio program which has aired in the South Georgia, North Florida area for over 30years. His extensive travels and long career as a gospel preacher has exposed him to many of the legendary people, places and events that have shaped the history of the Black Church of Christ in America over the last century. Among those legendary places is his hometown and home congregation, the West Adair Street Church of Christ. As he listened to his elders talk about the history of the church and the exploits of pioneer preachers his heart and mind was filled with impressions that would last a lifetime and eventually serve as the impetus to preserve those stories for generations to come. Growing up in the racially segregated south and being influenced by a great grandmother whose mother was a slave he is acutely and intimately acquainted with the oppressive forces that black people have had to face and the near impossible struggles they have had to overcome just to survive. He has witnessed first hand and through the testimonies of those he has written about, how the grace of God and faith in the eternal purpose of God can turn the negativity of such experiences into a positive motivation for achievement and success. In August of 2007, Butler was a guest lecturer at the Harley Langdale School of Business at Valdosta State University during the Summer Lecture Series on the subject of business Entrepreneurialship. His lecture was entitled: “Turning Trials into Trails: Wealth Building through Real Estate Investing.” He currently serves as an advisor to The National Lectureship of Churches of Christ and is Vice-Chairman for The Southeastern Lectureship of Churches of Christ. He also serves as Director of Finance and Registration for The Annual Southeastern Youth for Christ Conference. He is married to Gloria Ann Bythwood and they have two daughters, Tyrah Nichole Chatman (Evan) and Dr. Desdamona Marlana Butler; two granddaughters: Landyn Kai and Karsyn Lee Chatman.