On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis speaks with two religious historians and scholars who, like Otis, grew up as kids during the 1980’s “Jesus Movement” era, and whose faith was shaped by this period of rise in Christian evangelicalism. Dr. Ansley Quiros is a Professor of History at the University of North Alabama, has written extensively on race, politics and religion in today’s society, and has been integral in the development of an interracial faith community in Americas, Georgia. Sam Perry is a Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of Oklahoma, and has been a leading scholar in creating awareness of the dangers that nationalism can have when buttressed with Christian faith, even being interviewed by the January 6th Committee as an expert contributor. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include the rise of Christian nationalism and its dangers to society, how Christianity has become manipulated by American politics, and why racial healing and social justice have helped create multicultural communities in the South.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis discusses the growth of multiculturalism in the Christian church over the last 20 years and it’s positive impact on Christians of all races with Howard & Kellie Brown, a husband & wife pastoral team who are pioneers in the field of “multicultural church planting” for the Presbyterian Church’s PCA, where they have helped bring diversity to Christian communities across the South. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include the history of church planting and how it has successfully brought welcome diversity to predominately White Christian communities across the South, the challenges faced by both black and white parishioners as they seek to share their faith with people outside of their race, and how racial healing has been integral in the success of creating racially diverse Christian communities.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis has a dynamic one-on-on talk with religious scholar and award-winning author Dr. Robert P. Jones, whose articles on religion, politics and culture are featured in TIME Magazine, The Atlantic, the New York Times and other major media outlets. He is the Founder of the Public Religion Research Institute and his book, “White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity,” won the 2021 American Book Award. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include the current state of white supremacy in American Christianity, the hidden roots of white supremacy in American history, and how the changing demographics of the US is diminishing the power of white supremacists.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis visits with two of his most esteemed colleagues from his days of working in racial healing and social justice in Mississippi, Dr. Jennifer “Bingo” Gunter, a college professor and civil rights dynamo who has been deeply involved in racial healing and social justice in the South for more than 20 years, and the renowned Dr. Susan Glisson, dubbed a “hero of the New South in civil rights” by Time Magazine, and whose work in civil rights over the last 30 years, especially in Mississippi, has been recognized and supported by global leaders, including former US President Bill Clinton. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include Dr. Glisson’s 30 years as a civil rights pioneer in the South and the experiences that have most impacted her journey, how “Bingo”, Dr. Otis, and dozens of future leaders in racial healing and social justice were mentored by Dr. Glisson and what they learned, and how Susan and “Bingo” recently collaborated on a very special event that brought together the descendants, of all races, of former Confederate General Robert E. Lee to meet, share and engage in racial healing.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis speaks with national speaker, religious historian and New York Times Bestselling author Dr. Jemar Tisby. Dr. Tisby earned his PhD in History at the University of Mississippi and has written 3 books that address racism from a religious, sociological and historical perspective, including the New York Times bestselling book, “The Color of Compromise,” which discusses the history of racial challenges in America and provides solutions designed to bring meaningful integration to the Christian Church. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include Dr. Otis’s and Dr. Tisby’s longtime friendship and their years of work together in racial healing in Mississippi, the history of the Christian church’s battle with racism, and how Dr. Tisby has chosen to embrace writing and speaking as means for positively touching lives rather than preaching on the pulpit.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis has a powerful one-on-one conversation with Dr. Russell Moore, the current Editor-In-Chief of Christianity Today, and the former President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), where he was controversially removed from his position due to comments he made that the SBC deems as critical of then Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include Russell’s path to ministry and how this led him to his role with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Russell’s initial reaction to the massive criticism he receive from members of the SBC following his Trump comments and how that changed his future at the SBC, and how he has moved on from this controversy to become one of the leading voices on the future of evangelicalism in America.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis visits with two prominent educators and religious scholars whose work highlights and defines the intersections that connect race, history and the Christian Church. Dr. Peter Slade, a native of England and a college professor at Ashland University in Ohio, has been involved in racial healing in the US South for more than 30 years and his book, “Open Friendship in a Closed Society: Mission Mississippi and a Theology of Friendship,” offers keen insight on one group’s quest for racial reconciliation in Mississippi. DeSean Dyson is currently a Professor at Mississippi College, and is also the Founder of The Redeemer’s School in Jackson, Mississippi committed to racial, ethnic and economic diversity. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include how the Christian church has both supported and denounced racism in its long history, efforts in Mississippi over the last 20 years to bring racial healing to the state’s most underserved communities, and how religious scholars like Peter and DeSean have challenged the Christian Church to think more honestly about its history of racial segregation and the power that racial healing.

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On this week’s episode of “Purpose That Prevails with Dr. Otis Pickett,” Dr. Otis visits with two distinguished scholars who are also colleagues at Clemson University. Dr. Vernon Burton, The Matthew J. Perry Distinguished Chair of History at Clemson University, is considered to be one of the most distinguished historians of American culture living today, especially when it comes to the history of the American South. Vernon has been a pioneer among White Southern Christians advocating for ending systematic racism in America, and has been a leader in creating awareness about how African Americans are unfairly treated by the American criminal justice system. Rhondda Robinson Thomas is the Calhoun Lemon Professor of Literature at Clemson University where she teaches American Literature, including the history and works of African American authors. Rhondda is also a distinguished author, and her book and research project, titled, “Call My Name,” which brought to light the significant contributions of African Americans in the building and development of Clemson University from its very origins, has revolutionized the way that history is now taught at the university. Among the topics of discussion in this episode include these two distinguished scholars as they tell their stories and to talk about the importance of the study of history and critical research in presenting truth to the public that is honest and accurate.

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‘Purpose That Prevails’ was created to inspire its listeners, primarily of the Christian faith, to understand and embrace the power that comes with taking steps forward to achieve a greater global society through the sharing of ideas and personal involvement in events that will help to shape the social, economic and religious landscapes in the American South over the next half-century. 

Through conversations with prominent historians, religious scholars and college educators, “Purpose That Prevails with Otis Pickett” strives to provide listeners with greater insight into the history of the Southern Christian movement and how it has shaped the last half-century in American politics, education and social justice.

Host Background:

Otis W. Pickett is the E Pluribus Unum Eminent Scholar and the University Historian at Clemson University, serving as only the 4th university historian in the school’s 134-year history. He serves in the Libraries as University Historian, Chair of the Department of Historic Properties and is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning at Clemson University. Dr. Pickett is passionate about higher education in prisons and is the co-founder and co-director of the Prison to College Pipeline Program, which is the first program in the state of Mississippi to offer tuition free, credit bearing college courses to incarcerated students Prison-to-College Pipeline Program | University of Mississippi (olemiss.edu)