30 Middle Passage: Barbara Peacock on African American Soul Care

“I’m reading books by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Adele Calhoun, and I’m like, where is the information on African American spiritual direction? We need to have a voice in this community.”Dr. Barbara Peacock illustrates the liminal history of contemplative prayer, spiritual direction, and soul care within the African American tradition. Reflecting on significant men and women like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Howard Thurman—Barbara celebrates the practices of soul care as we learn from these spiritual leaders.“Liminal history is the only history that we know. We are a people that are continuously going from one revelation of humanity and equality to another.”Dr. Barbara is a preacher, teacher and a prayer warrior. Spiritual direction and soul care were the emphasis of her doctoral work, which led to her book Soul Care in African American Practice. “I believe we are on the brink of a great awakening. I think we’ve had one; we just didn’t realize it. I know people don’t see eye to eye on the protests, but there is a piercing and a transformation of the heart that is taking place.”Thank you to Taelor Gray for the podcast benediction with his song Closer.https://www.ivpress.com/soul-care-in-african-american-practicehttps://www.barbaralpeacock.com/http://www.taelorgray.com/Special Thanks to these musicians for permission to include these songs:Taelor Gray: CloserKai Engle: Irens Tale, Salue, Machinery, Morning Placidity, DenouementBorrtex: Black OutAudiobinger: Winter is Coming, Past RegretsLee Rosevere: Under Suspicion