Faith and Education: The Interwoven Legacy of Langston University and the Black Church
February 15, 2024
Today’s experience at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church for Langston Day, under the spiritual leadership of civil rights icon Dr. J.A. Reed, was a profound reminder of the deep connections between the black church and black colleges. In the black community, the intertwining of education and religious faith forms a foundation strong enough to withstand the trials of history. Langston University’s story is a testament to this enduring bond.
The genesis of Langston University is rooted in a struggle for access to education amidst the harsh realities of segregation in the Oklahoma Territory. In July 1892, driven by a community’s unwavering desire for knowledge and equality, black citizens petitioned to establish a college in Langston. Despite opposition, their efforts bore fruit with the founding of the Colored Agricultural and Normal University in 1897, a beacon of hope and resilience inaugurated in a Presbyterian Church. This origin story is not just a chapter of history; it’s a legacy of faith, determination, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds.
On Sunday, February 11th, the vibrant worship service at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, filled with Lion pride, was a living example of the powerful synergy between faith and education. As Pastor Reed invited the Langston community to stand, the sense of unity and shared purpose was palpable. President Ruth Jackson’s encouraging words, the soul-stirring melodies of the Langston choir, and Rev. Derrick Walter Jr.’s electrifying message all underscored the significance of our gathering. It celebrated achievement, community, and the unwavering faith guiding generations.
The black church has always been more than a place of worship; it’s been a sanctuary of hope, a forum for civil rights, and a catalyst for educational empowerment. Its role in establishing and sustaining institutions like Langston University cannot be overstated. The journey toward academic excellence in the black community has often been paved with hardships. Yet, through these very challenges, the strength of our faith and the value of perseverance are most clearly revealed.
Parents instill in their children that education is a pathway to liberation, a journey intertwined with faith. This belief system, rooted in the collective experience of the black church, propels our youth toward higher education, armed with the resilience and conviction that their ancestors carried. It is this fusion of faith and education that sets the experience at black colleges, even public ones like Langston, apart from traditional, predominantly white institutions (PWIs). Our hardship in the black experience fuels our worship.
In honoring black Americans’ contributions and the black church’s pivotal role, we acknowledge a heritage rich with examples of triumph over adversity. The legacy of Langston University, born from the courage and faith of its founders and nurtured by the strength of the black church, continues to inspire us. It reminds us that faith and education are inseparable threads in our history, guiding us toward a future where every dream is attainable and every voice is heard.
