On the Jericho Road: A Memoir of Racial Justice, Social Action and Prophetic Ministry

Book Description
The road to Jericho was fraught with peril. According to one of Jesus' most powerful stories, a man traveling that road was set upon by thieves, robbed, beaten and left to die. Respectable people passed by on the other side. But at great risk and cost to himself, a neighborly stranger stopped to lend aid. So too is modern life filled with criminals, victims, the uninvolved and the few willing to make a difference. One man has made this story his life calling, to minister to all those he encounters on life's difficult road. That man is the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. The story of the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. is the story of African Americans in the twentieth century. He grew up in an era of poverty and segregation, experiencing the injustices of a racially divided country. With his family and his church as his anchors, he emerged as one of the nation's most prominent African American preachers. He witnessed firsthand the tumult of the civil rights era and faced the challenges of urban decay, violent crime and discrimination. As senior pastor of Oakland's Allen Temple Baptist Church he became a leading activist for societal transformation, spearheading ministries that have provided hope for thousands. Now, as one of the most respected elder statesmen of the African American church, Smith tells the story of his remarkable life, describing the events and people that shaped him. His testimony reveals how God works through the church to minister to individuals, families and communities. Come, join Dr. Smith on the Jericho road. Catch his vision for how lives can be rescued and transformed. And then follow the invitation to go and do likewise.


From the Inside Flap
"Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith is a towering prophetic figure of contemporary Christendom. His profound vision, courageous witness and deep love are legendary in our time. His exemplary leadership has always been a beacon of hope for us all!" Cornel West, professor of religion and African American studies, Princeton University, and author of Race Matters "Thank God for men and women like Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. who stand in the gap, fighting shoulder to shoulder for social justice. This is an African American of faith who has never forgotten his roots or his culture. . . . I'm excited to see his incredible story come to the printed page." Barbara Lee, United States Congresswoman (from the foreword) "On the Jericho Road is an intimate glimpse into the life and struggle of an urban prophet. Dr. Smith freely shares his struggles and triumphs in a way that inspires current leaders to stay on that same road of justice and freedom." Keith A. Russell, President, American Baptist Seminary of the West "This book is filled with rich and engaging memories and is the testimony of a man who has sought to fulfill God's purposes in his generation. Through the snapshots of Dr. Smith's life, one can see a fuller picture of God's love for, God's justice toward and God's faithfulness to the black community." Rev. Philip A. Bowling-Dyer, National Director, Black Campus Ministries, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA


About the Author
Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. is senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California. He is past president of the American Baptist Churches of the West and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. He holds degrees from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and American Baptist Seminary of the West, where he also serves as a professor. He is the author of over sixteen books. Rev. Harry Louis Williams II (M.Div., Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a case manager for the Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Training Academy, serving ex-offenders and the urban poor in East Oakland, California. He was born in New York City, raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and is a graduate of Kean University in Union, New Jersey. He is the author of No Easy Walk: The Dramatic Journey of African-Americans (IVP).


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"The story of the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. is the story of African Americans in the twentieth century. He grew up in an era of poverty and segregation, experiencing the injustices of a racially divided country. With his family and his church as his anchors, he emerged as one of the nation's most prominent African American preachers. He witnessed firsthand the tumult of the civil rights era and faced the challenges of urban decay, violent crime and discrimination. As senior pastor of Oakland's Allen Temple Baptist Church he became a leading activist for societal transformation, spearheading ministries that have provided hope for thousands." Now, as one of the most respected elder statesmen of the African American church, Smith tells the story of his remarkable life, describing the events and people that shaped him. His testimony reveals how God works through the church to minister to individuals, families and communities.


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