In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Michele Clark Jenkins and Stephanie Perry Moore wondered what they could or should do to be a part of racial healing in this country.
The answer came as the duo’s third Bible project with Thomas Nelson, The Breathe Life Bible. Looking to replace hopelessness and despair with hopeful encouragement through scriptural clarity, this Bible aims to apply the truth of the gospel to the enduring fight against societal injustice.
The Bible includes an introductory article by Reverend Dr. Bernice A. King. Reverend King is the youngest child of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Currently the CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, she did not hesitate to contribute to this work. In fact, it is an extension of her life’s work, which carries the tradition of her mother and father. In 1993, she gave a memorable speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During that speech, she asked a question that is directly related to this new bible project: “My brothers and sisters, it is not enough to say that we marched with Dr. King 25 or even 30 years ago. We need to ask ourselves, ‘What are we doing now?'”
The foreword was written by Ambassador Andrew Young. Ambassador Young was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is known for his civil rights activism alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is a former member of Congress, former Mayor of Atlanta and was the first African American Ambassador to the United Nations.
Gospel recording artist and Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ Fellowship, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, authored the prayer of dedication. Hezekiah Walker is a Grammy award-winning Gospel music pioneer. He is senior pastor of Love Fellowship Tabernacle, with locations in Brooklyn, New York and Bensalem, PA, as well as Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ, where he oversees 28 churches in the U.S. and South Africa.
The Breathe Life Bible includes Letters of encouragement written by Reverend Matthew Wesley Williams, president of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Dr. Thelma Thomas Daley, president of the National Council of Negro Women, and president of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson greet readers as they embark upon this empowering journey through the Scriptures.
Other contributors include Bishop Marvin Sapp, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Pastor Debra B. Morton, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Dr. Franklin Perry, Sr., Dr. Charrita Danley Quimby, Dr. Eric Lee, Pastor Derrick Moore, Arthur Satterwhite, Pastor Tommy Kyllonen, Dr. Helen Delaney, Pastor Tommy Stevenson, LaKeesha Walrond, De’Leice Drane, First Lady Jamell Meeks, James Guitard, Dr. Lakeba Williams, Walter Kimbrough, and Jekalyn Carr.
Co-editor Clark Jenkins also wrote 49 “We Speak” segments that give brief first-person introductions to Bible characters and short interpretations of their role. Co-editor Perry Moore wrote in the acknowledgments that this Bible is a road map of how the weight of this world can be lifted while being a part of social change.
The Breathe Life Bible includes articles that explore Scripture through the lens of the BREATHE acronym (Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Act, Trust, Hope, and Elevate), Q&A format articles addressing difficult life situations, short biographical profiles, and more features.
According to Philip Nation, vice president and publisher of bibles for Thoma Nelson, The Breathe Life Bible will help people put action to faith. Nation hopes the bible will give everyone greater courage to stand strong during days that feel overwhelming.
Michele Clark Jenkins is the author of She Speaks, a former HBO and Black Family Channel executive, and previous general manager of the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She currently acts as the Senior Director Consulting Group for Griffin & Strong, P.C. where she specializes in disparity research. Stephanie Perry Moore is a bestselling author of 80 novels and is the showrunner for The Cool and the Strong, a scripted SCETV/PBS show based on her newest book series, Magic Strong. Together, Jenkins and Moore are the co-founders and leaders of Sisters in Faith, a ministry devoted to encouraging and empowering African American women with God’s Word, and co-general editors of the Sisters in Faith Bible.
Published By: Aize Perez
