Each Monday we use our Facebook Page to introduce another famous Kentucky Christian from the past. By a famous Kentucky Christian we mean someone who was born in or worked in Kentucky, whose accomplishments were meaningful within the community, and who gave specific testimony to their faith in the Christian message. We are being intentional to include both men and women from every race and ethnicity that we can find. This is a kind of treasure hunt through Kentucky’s history. Famous Kentucky Christians have been presidents and slaves. They have risen from adversity to become prosperous entrepreneurs. They have served in faraway places, in the military and at home. We are looking for these people to build a who’s who of Kentucky’s Christian history. Our children need to see examples of people whom they resemble who overcame challenges and made history happen.
This week we introduced Albery Allson Whitman. He faced more
adversity than most of your students can imagine as you can see in his own
words:
“I was Born in Green River
Country, Hart County, Kentucky, May 30, 1851. I was a slave until the
Emancipation. My parents left me and went to the Good Land when I was yet a
boy. My chances for education have not been good. In that matter, however, I
have done what I could. I have labored with my hands, taught school and
preached a RISEN, present Savior – not a bad lot after all”[1].
Whitman was 26-years old when he wrote those words in the
preface of the first of six volumes of his poetry. He had finished a degree at
Wilberforce University and would go on to plant and pastor churches in Georgia,
Kansas, Ohio and Texas. His poetry was popular enough for him to have been
invited to read one at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Some even called him the “poet
laureate of the Negro race”.
What do your students make of Whitman’s words? If their
parents had both died and left them enslaved, would they push themselves
through college? Would they find comfort in the Christian message enough to
continue to make it known to others? Why or why not?
Do your students know about any famous Kentucky Christians
that we may not yet have discovered? If so, how have their lives been impacted
by them? If not, do you know who their heroes and role models are?
When your youth group or children’s club visits the Kentucky
Faith and Public History Education Project’s Walking Trail (expected to open in
2021) in Paris, Kentucky, they will encounter information about the Christian
religion and its history, especially in Kentucky starting in the early
nineteenth century with the camp meeting revivals such as the 1801 Cane Ridge
Revival in Bourbon County. Each child will also be challenged to play an Eye
Spy game in which they must find seven clues hidden along the Walking Trail in
order to learn about a famous Kentucky Christian. At the end of the trail, they
will receive a trading card about their person. Trading cards will also be
available soon in sets on our website. Famous Kentucky Christians are also the
subjects of the FKCC book series. So far there are four books. Big Bully
is the story of Simon Kenton. New Boots is the story of Elisha
Green. Hurt Feelings is the story of Dottie Rambo and Picked
Last is the story of Effie Waller Smith. Each book is a high-interest
easy-reader beginning chapter book written at the 2nd through 4th
grade reading level. If your church has a children’s book section in its
library, these books should be available. They make affordable gifts too.
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