African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage shows children how God has used all races and ethnicities in his plan of redemption by celebrating and highlighting the contributions of African theologians and martyrs.
Jordan and Jasmine's dad loves history and is always telling them stories about the past. One day when their family is out on a picnic, they start asking if there were any Christians who looked like them who God had used to help the church grow. They are excited when their dad shares inspiring true stories of early Christian leaders—both men and women—from Africa who helped to grow the early church in remarkable and significant ways.
Author Jerome Gay introduces children to the stories of eleven amazing African leaders including Augustine, Athanasius, Tertullian, and more. African Heroes presents these figures on a level children can understand with diverse imagery and colorful illustrations by John Joven.
"Story has always been a powerful means to convey truth. What better way to tell the beautiful stories of our rich church history than this great work by Jerome Gay. Great art and truth belong together, and this resource is just that! Adults and children alike will enjoy this work that highlights the contributions of these African fathers and mothers of the faith. This work is bound to be a classic that will serve the faith of many until Jesus returns."
Eric Mason, Pastor; theologian; author
"Some of the most influential theologians in my life were born in and ministered on the continent of Africa. Theirs is a rich and beautiful heritage that is rarely marveled at or pointed out. Jerome Gay has done an exceptional job introducing some of these heroes of the faith to the next generation."
Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church; executive chairman, Acts 29
"Besides kid-friendly versions of the Bible itself, there is not another children's book I'd recommend more for Black families than African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage. As he has done in so much of his previous work, Pastor Jerome Gay has put together a book that teaches, celebrates, and presents Christianity the way God meant for it to be done—multiculturally. In reading about their rich Christian heritage, Black children will learn they are as loved, as cherished, and as empowered as any other race or ethnicity of people."
Chris Broussard, Internationally known Sports Broadcaster; founder/president of The K.I.N.G. Movement
"I discovered many of my African heroes in my twenties—and it changed my life! My heart is glad that future generations of children can discover these heroes at an early age. May this book and these heroes inspire children and change their lives too!"
Thabiti M. Anyabwile, President, The Crete Collective; pastor, Anacostia River Church
"History is the weight that can keep us grounded or drown us. Jerome Gay is providing the opportunity for young minds to be grounded in great glory and righteousness."
Sho Baraka, Author; artist
"It's not our history but our memories that most shape us. By pairing these heroes with the virtues they embodied, Jerome ensures that the richest parts of our Christian history are embedded deep into the memories of the next generation. I hope this unique and much-needed book begins a trend where others take up this task."
John Onwuchekwa, Director of Resources at Christianity Today; author; entrepreneur
"Africa's contributions to Christianity are rarely taught, but this book tells the story we've longed to hear. African Heroes will inspire, educate, and fan the flame of dignity for Black children. This isn't ""black-washing"" Christianity; rather, it's beautifully illustrated truth-telling for the glory of Jesus! Every family, regardless of race, needs this book in their home."
Sarita T. Lyons, Writer; speaker, psychotherapist; director of discipleship and women's ministry, Epiphany Fellowship Church, Philadelphia
African Heroes is a beautifully written and enlightening book that introduces children to early African Christian leaders, philosophers, and theologians whose contributions helped shape the early Church. Jerome Gay Jr. does a wonderful job highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Body of Christ, offering a much-needed perspective often overlooked in traditional church history. This book is an excellent resource for parents who want to teach their children about the global and diverse nature of Christianity, fostering a deeper understanding of faith and history. Highly recommended for families looking to raise well-rounded disciples for Christ!
African Heroes is a beautifully written and enlightening book that introduces children to early African Christian leaders, philosophers, and theologians whose contributions helped shape the early Church. Jerome Gay Jr. does a wonderful job highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Body of Christ, offering a much-needed perspective often overlooked in traditional church history. This book is an excellent resource for parents who want to teach their children about the global and diverse nature of Christianity, fostering a deeper understanding of faith and history. Highly recommended for families looking to raise well-rounded disciples for Christ!
This book has been a blessing to me. I enjoy reading the entries to my children so they can learn about their faith while also seeing the contributions and sacrifices their ancestors have made to and for the Christian faith. I hope the author creates more books and resources like this for kids. I want my children to be able to see themselves in history and in scripture.
African Heroes is an attractive 64-page picture book that provides overviews of the lives of eleven Christian theologians and martyrs. Winsomely illustrated by John Joven, the colorful pictures are sure to grab the attention of your 4-7 year olds. As a literature-based homeschool mom, I was always searching for biographies and overviews that fit particular time periods and geography. I think it is so important that our children know about the many places and people who have followed Jesus throughout history. That's the reason I'm so excited about a book for younger kids that highlights theologians and Christians who lived during the Early Church period, and who were from Africa. African Heroes contains biographies on the following people from the 2nd to 5th Centuries: * Tertullian (c. 155 - c. 220 AD) * Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 - c. 254 AD) * Perpetua (c. 182 - c. 203 AD) * Felicity (c. 182 - c. 203 AD) * Athanasius (c. 293 - 373 AD) * Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200 - c. 258 AD) * Lactantius (c. 250 - c. 325 AD) * Pachomius the Great (c. 290 - c. 346 AD) * Cyril of Alexandria (c. 375 - c. 444 AD) * Augustine (c. 354 - c. 430 AD) * Shenoute of Atripe (c. 350 - c. 466 AD) There are four pages dedicated to each person highlighted in the book, with a short biography that features a character trait that is portrayed in that Christian's testimony. Jerome Gay, Jr. points out godly traits like leadership, commitment, love, service, and courage. African Heroes is a wonderful addition to the existing literature on Christian heroes for young people, and I highly recommend it!
In the time I have been reviewing for New Growth Press, I have been amazed at the diversity and depth of Christian content they have published in the children to preteen demographic. One of New Growth Press’ latest releases I couldn’t wait to get my hands on is African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage by Jerome Gay. Geared towards young children ages 4-7, African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage profiles various men and women from Africa who helped grow the early Christian church, including some of the greats like Tertullian and Augustine. Also included with each profile is a Bible verse. I love how African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage introduces young ones to Church History. Jerome Gay profiles a variety of Christian Teachers/Leaders from Africa—both male and female. I love how African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage is a way to show young ones how Christianity grew in the world. I love that I reunited with Christian greats like Tertullian and Augustine and that I met new Christian greats such as Perpetua and Felicity. I love that the profiles are concise and informative, making it easy for the 4-7 age demographic to understand without the information being watered down. The illustrations also complement African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage well. I think African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage is a great resource to have in a Christian Education setting or a Church Library. Thank you Jerome Gay for writing African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage to help us learn more about the beginnings of how Christianity spread around the world. I highly recommend African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage by Jerome Gay!
How have I been churches my whole life and never learned of these faith heroes? I’m so grateful for this work and will be sharing with my multicultural church!
Great Book about some important historical figures of early Christianity. Many of which have been forgotten, at least in America they have been. This is a wonderful idea to introduce children to these people and some of the vakues and principles that they are known for.
The biographies found in this book range from the known to the unknown. Going through this book with my son has been enlightening for both of us. I highly recommend this title.
Author Jerome Gay’s African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage is a beautiful showcase of many African influencers of the early Christian church. Admittedly, I was not aware of most of these martyrs and other prominent changemakers of the early church and found their stories very inspiring. Each short story gives enough information to be educational and interesting while remaining suitable for short attention spans. The stories are told by a father to his children, who are interested in learning if people of their heritage had played a role in the development of their faith. Through this storytelling, an audience of any ethnicity would be able to appreciate the worldwide contribution to the Christian faith. Perhaps African Heroes will inspire audiences to explore further how Christianity spread throughout each continent of the world. African Heroes includes captivating illustrations by John Joven. The audience listed on Amazon is for ages 4-7 and the reading level for ages 7-10. Children of any of these ages would pick up at least some learning from this look back at history.
Author Jerome Gay’s African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage is a beautiful showcase of many African influencers of the early Christian church. Admittedly, I was not aware of most of these martyrs and other prominent changemakers of the early church and found their stories very inspiring. Each short story gives enough information to be educational and interesting while remaining suitable for short attention spans. The stories are told by a father to his children, who are interested in learning if people of their heritage had played a role in the development of their faith. Through this storytelling, an audience of any ethnicity would be able to appreciate the worldwide contribution to the Christian faith. Perhaps African Heroes will inspire audiences to explore further how Christianity spread throughout each continent of the world. African Heroes includes captivating illustrations by John Joven. The audience listed on Amazon is for ages 4-7 and the reading level for ages 7-10. Children of any of these ages would pick up at least some learning from this look back at history.
