Howard Kester and Martin Luther King Jr.

The Journal of Southern Religion has published my article "A Misplaced Hope: Howard Kester, the Fellowship of Southern Churchmen, and the Failed Attempt to Mobilize White Moderate Protestants in Support of Desegregation, 1952-1957."

Martin Luther King Jr. and Howard Kester at 

the Conference on Christian Faith and Human  

Relations, Scarritt College, Nashville, April 25, 

1957. Photographer: Jack Gunter, courtesy 

Nashville Public Library, Special Collections.

If you would like a printable version then here you go.

In the article, I look at the failed attempt by some remarkable southern Christians in the 1950s to mobilize white moderate Protestants in support of desegregation. It is really my response as a church historian to this 'Trump moment' in the American church.

It is the by-product of the research I did into the life and work of Howard Kester for a chapter in the upcoming book Can I Get a Witness? Thirteen Peacemakers, Community-Builders, and Agitators for Faith and Justice.