BOOKS

The National African American Missions Council (NAAMC) stands at the heart of a perpetual renaissance, creating unmatched spiritual, intellectual, and social value. By seamlessly blending research with teaching, the arts with biblical principles, and fostering connections between emerging talent and seasoned leaders, NAAMC amplifies the voices and stories of Black missionaries while honoring their rich history and cultural impact.

We are excited to present a list of books authored by some of the most creative, innovative, and thought-provoking writers for both adults and children alike. These works provide a deeper understanding of the Black experience, history, and missions stories. We hope that the brilliance of these authors ignites your imagination, sparks conversations, and inspires fresh strategies in cross-cultural missions. May their words deepen your appreciation for the profound influence of Black missionaries and encourage a lasting engagement in the world of missions.

Adults

Children

Please take a look at our suggested readings. (Books are in Alphabetical Order)

Celebrating the Heritage of African American Missionaries Past and Present by NAAMC (FREE DOWNLOAD)

"Legacy: Celebrating the Heritage of African American Missionaries Past & Present" is a free downloadable booklet that honors the enduring impact of Black missionaries throughout history. It also highlights contemporary Black missionaries who have been recognized with the prestigious MAP Award from NAAMC, showcasing their ongoing contributions to global and domestic missions work.

A Black Theology of Liberation (Ethics and Society) by James H. Cone

A Broken Seat at the Table: Conversations about Race, Resilience, and Building Bridges by Eddy Paul Thomas

After working on the frontlines, at the intersections of mercy ministry, racial reconciliation, human rights, and education for just over two decades, Thomas' A Broken Seat at the Table provides the reader hope for a path forward as well as insightful ways to disrupt and dismantle systemic issues that plague people of color in the United States.

A History of Christianity in Africa: From Antiquity to the Present by Elizabeth Isichei

Isichei opens with the brilliance of Christianity in Africa in antiquity and shows how Christian Egypt and North Africa produced some of the most influential intellects of the time. She then discusses the churches founded in the wake of early contacts with Europe, from the late fifteenth century on, and the unbroken Christian witness of Coptic Egypt and of Ethiopia. Isichei also examines the different types of Christianity in modern Africa and shows how social factors have influenced its development and expression.

A Just Mission: Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality by Mekdes Haddis

Why does Western missions funding depend on narratives that marginalize indigenous leadership?

Why are diaspora Christians from the Global South not seen as legitimate missionaries to the West?

Western mission often still centers the senders, without as much understanding of the experiences of the receivers. Mekdes Haddis, an Ethiopian now living in the United States, provides a postcolonial critique of Western mission, upending the white savior complex and arguing for a more globally just approach. A Just Mission examines evangelical mission from the perspective of the receiver, highlighting areas of weakness and naming injustices.

Unveiling the negative impact of Western mission on the global church, Haddis addresses how white supremacy infiltrates and subverts mission organizations' good intentions, disrupting grassroots missions and local leadership development. Weaving together theology and Scripture with stories from people of color and diaspora groups, A Just Mission offers hope that the mission and message of Jesus can indeed become good news for all.

Africa to the Rest: From Mission Field to Mission Force (Again) by Dr. Yaw Perbi

Beacons of Hope by Sandra Dorsainvil and Susan Fraizier-Kouassi PdD

Becoming the Church: God's People in Purpose and Power by Claude R. Alexander Jr.

Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church by Edward Gilbreath

Bread for the Resistance: Forty Devotions for Justice People by Donna Barber

Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith

Don't Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words by Viola Ford Fletcher

Viola Ford Fletcher's memoir Don't Let Them Bury My Story vividly recounts the lasting impact of the Tulsa Massacre on her life. As the oldest survivor and last living witness of the tragic events that unfolded in 1921, she shares her testimony with poignant clarity. From the terror of her childhood as a seven-year-old fleeing the burning streets of Greenwood to her current role as a 109-year-old family matriarch seeking justice for the affected families, Mother Fletcher takes us on a journey through a lifetime of pain and perseverance. Her inspiring story is a powerful reminder that some wounds never fully heal, and we must never forget the lessons of our history.

Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change by Christina Edmondson and Chad Brennan

Free at Last? The Gospel in the African American Experience by Carl F. Ellis

How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity (Early African Christianity)How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity (Early African Christianity) by Thomas C. Oden

How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice by Jamar Tisby

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

Jesus & the Hip-Hop Prophets Spiritual Insights from Lauryn Hill and 2Pac by John Teter and Alex Gee

NLT Africa Study Bible: God's Word through African Eyes by Dr. John Jusu

The Africa Study Bible is a totally new kind of Bible, built from the ground up by scholars and pastors in Africa who see the critical need to make Scripture relevant to our everyday lives. It's an all-in-one course in biblical content, theology, history, and culture.