Howard Thurman: Make the Heart a Swinging Door

Rev. Lora East speaks briefly with Karen Wright Marsh on Howard Thurman. The Sermon Series continues with the Saints and Sinners theme with a beautiful sermon about the author and leader.

Here are some facts about Howard Thurman:

Howard Washington Thurman (November 18, 1899 – April 10, 1981) was an American author, philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader. As a prominent religious figure, he played a leading role in many social justice movements and organizations of the twentieth century.
Like many human stories, Howard Thurman’s story is one of resiliency, bravery, and hope. It began in Daytona Beach, Florida at the turn of the century on November 18, 1899—Thurman’s birthday. Though his family had little to no means, they loved him dearly, and throughout his life, Thurman (Hon.’67) would often attribute his success to his family’s courage and sacrifice. Young Howard was only fourteen years old when he left the comforts of home in pursuit of knowledge at boarding school (there was no high school for black children in Daytona Beach then). When he arrived at the train station to make his trek north to Jacksonville, he was shocked to learn that while he had enough money for the fare, he needed more to check his trunk. Thurman thought his adventure was doomed to end on that platform until an “anonymous stranger” approached him and asked him why he was crying. This stranger changed the trajectory of Thurman’s life, giving him the funds he needed to get to Jacksonville. Thurman never forgot that act of kindness, and dedicated his autobiography to the man on the platform who “restored his broken dreams.”


More on Thurman: https://www.bu.edu/thurman/about-us/who-is-howard-thurman/

Check out this article on our guest, Karen Wright Marsh - https://pres-outlook.org/2021/01/mentoring-with-the-communion-of-the-saints/

Link to Karen's Book on Amazon - Vintage Saints and Sinners

BPC YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/BrentwoodPresbyterianChurch

Please consider supporting our show - https://www.bpcusa.org/financial-ministry/