Hometown, Alaska Alaska Public Media

Partial logo from the PBS historical and cultural exploration of the Black Church in America.In a sweeping, song-filled and emotional telling, Henry Louis Gates takes viewers through the beginnings of the Black Church in America, from its beginnings in white Christianity with influence from home countries and spiritual traditions that enslaved people brought with them. The 400-year history of the Black Church reveals influence during the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, right up to today’s Black Lives Matter. The episodes broadcast on television in Anchorage on Feb. 16 and 17, and are still available on the web for viewing. Find Episode 1 and Episode 2 at PBS.org.Pastor M.A. Bunton of Greater Friendship Baptist Church.In this week’s Hometown Alaska, we host pastors of three local churches to share reflections on Gates’ history and appreciation of the Black Church. In addition, they’ll introduce us to their own churches and ministries.HOST: Kathleen McCoyPastor Undra Parker of Sh