Multicultural Ministries

Black or African Americans

Blacks or African Americans are people having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.¹ According to the 2000 U.S. Census, those who identify only as African American constitute approximately 12 percent of the American population -- almost 35 million individuals. The Census Bureau projects that by the year 2035 there will be more than 50 million African American individuals in the United States, comprising 14.3 percent of the population. The African American population is represented throughout the country, with the greatest concentrations in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Maryland.²

African Americans have a long history in the United States. Some African American families have been in the United States for many generations; others are recent immigrants from places such as Africa, the Caribbean, or the West Indies. The health disparities between African Americans and other racial groups are striking and are apparent in life expectancy, infant mortality, and other measures of health status. For example, in 1999 the average American could expect to live 76.9 years, the average African American could only expect to live 71.4 years.³ Factors contributing to poor health outcomes among African Americans include discrimination, cultural barriers, and lack of access to health care.⁴

African American Outreach

Answering God's Call

In response to God's call, our African-American Outreach team endeavors to impact and influence the African American family with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to do so intentionally through relationships with the local pastor, the church and the community.

From our own experience, we understand the needs of African-American pastors and want to impact attitudes and culture by effectively using the various media at our disposal, and to improve our own skills and abilities to speak in the context of the African-American community.

We highly encourage you to read Heart of a Great Pastor to illuminate many of the issues you may be experiencing now in your ministry.

In our efforts to intentionally reach the African-American pastor and his or her family, we are hosting pastors gatherings, gatekeeper events and conference sponsorships. We hope to see you as we canvas our nation this year.

We are here to help you and stand beside you. If you need encouragement or an ear to listen, please contact our toll-free Pastoral Care Line at (877) 233-4455.

Leadership Events

Answering God's Call Through Leadership Events

In order to get to know our colleagues better, our staff and local gatekeepers sponsor special Answer God's Call leadership gatherings all across the country for key pastors and their spouses.

Our goal is to establish relationships in various communities via gatekeepers, using their assistance to reach local pastors and to provide resources that will assist them in ministering to their congregations. We also want to share helpful information about the "family" in this nation and to help keep the pastor's family together.

A personal invitation to an Answer God's Call gathering is an opportunity for pastoral couples to be encouraged and affirmed as leaders, families, congregations and communities in the name of Him who has called us to ministry.

If you would like to be considered as a gatekeeper in your city, please contact either Alex Person or Kim Simmons by e-mail at pastors@family.org or by phone at (719) 531-3360.

Scheduled Events:
(Note: These events are by invitation only. See above.)

Gatekeeper Relationships

God's Call Through Gatekeeper Relationships

We are moving forward! Our African American Outreach team is intentionally connecting with pastors and churches to share our goal of serving and increasing awareness of resources available for the African American community.

Our desire is to partner with gatekeepers — clergy like you — devoted to helping their church members and neighbors grow in Christ. We need people like you to help us do a better job of providing resources to meet the needs of your congregation and community.

As a gatekeeper, you would have an opportunity to reach your congregation and help get the word out that Focus on the Family has resources for the black family. Each quarter, we will provide your church with a special product and bulletin inserts to help promote resources that will assist our culture in addressing key issues in parenting, building families, singleness and marriage.

Please join us in reaching the African American community by becoming an African American Outreach gatekeeper for your local area. For additional information on our gatekeeper ministry, please contact Alex Person or Kim Simmons by e-mail at pastors@family.org or by phone at (719) 531-3360.

Conference Sponsorships

Answering God's Call Through Conference Sponsorships

 Our African American Outreach team represents Focus on the Family at numerous major conferences, traveling all across the country and meeting pastors and their spouses to lift them up with spiritual nourishment and practical suggestions. It is our special desire to partner with denominational leadership and develop relationships with pastors and leaders as gatekeepers.

 We will be attending the following conferences, so please stop by our booth and introduce yourself. We really care about you.

Conferences We Will Be Attending

Pastoral Events

(African-American Pastoral Events)

Answering the Call is a complimentary lunch and seminar designed to refresh African-American pastors and their spouses from the every day issues they face as pillars in their communities. We've found that pastors and their families need encouragement, so to this end, we are hosting complimentary luncheons at which we bring together local pastors and their spouses for a brief time of fellowship with one another and solid affirmation from our Pastoral Ministries staff.

Featured speaker Alex Person shares insights gained from his experience as a pastor and Air Force Chaplain throughout the years. You'll discover that your experiences and feelings in ministry are much more common than you often realize. Our complimentary lunch begins at 11:30am and the seminar begins at 12:30pm, ending at 1:30pm.

Scheduled Events

The following upcoming events are now scheduled. If you are interested in attending one in your area, please click the button below to make a reservation or call (719) 548-5767 for more information.