Why Are They Running: Breaking Down the Black Christian Experience (Pastor Kellen Brooks)

If King David, the man after God’s own heart, danced before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14), does that mean we should be dancing between the pews every Sunday? Church is so much bigger than just our one experience of worship. But why is there such a wide variety in the ways we feel moved by the Spirit to praise, lament, or express our devotion to the infinite God—and how do I know what’s right for me? Join hosts Rasool Berry, Christin Thorpe, and guest Pastor Kellen Brooks as they unpack the history and culture behind the Black church experience.  

 

Guest Bio:  

Kellen Brooks, M Div, ThM is a musician, author, pastor, and public speaker in the Metro Detroit area. He pastors the Pentecostal Temple Church Of God In Christ, in Inkster, Michigan and is the founding pastor of Philos Church Of God In Christ in Detroit, MI. He received his Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary and his Master of Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary. Additionally, Pastor Brooks is an international speaker and musician ministering in places such as South Africa, Scotland, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, France, and Israel. 

 

Verses Mentioned:  

• Joshua 6 
• Psalm 150 
• 2 Samuel 6:20–22 
• Exodus 15:20 
• Hebrews 5:7 
• Galatians 6:2 
• Romans 8:26 

Featured Links:  

• Keep the conversation going with the Discussion Guide from this episode! 
• Pastor Kellan Brooks’ website: www.Kellenbrooks.com 
• Connect with Pastor Books on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok 
• Faith Under Construction Landing Page: https://www.odbm.org/en/voices/faith-under-construction 
• VOICES Community: https://www.odbm.org/en/voices 
• Follow VOICES on Instagram

What is Faith Under Construction Podcast?

What if faith isn’t about pretending to have it all figured out?

Faith Under Construction centers Black Millennials and Gen Z voices wrestling openly with Christianity — its beauty, its baggage, and its place in our culture. As they engage in thoughtful conversations with experts at the intersection of faith and culture, the hosts Rasool Berry and Christin Thorpe dive deep into the big questions so many in the Black community are wrestling with—questions about God, justice, the church, and identity. Things like:
• If I have Jesus, do I really need the church?
• Is Christianity a white, oppressive religion?
• What do I do with my doubts?
… and so much more.

This isn’t church PR.
It’s real people navigating belief in public.

Whether you’re committed, curious, skeptical, or somewhere in between — there’s space for you here.

#FaithUnderConstruction #FaithAndCulture #BlackVoices #SpiritualQuestions