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The Calling That Couldn't Be Denied Part 1
Dr. Tellis Chapman takes us on a remarkable journey through American history as seen through the eyes of a sharecropper's son who became one of the most influential voices in Black preaching. Growing up in segregated Pascagoula, Mississippi during the turbulent 1960s and 70s, Chapman's story illuminates both personal resilience and our nation's struggle toward racial justice.
From a modest three-bedroom home shared by ten family members (and frequently extended to community members in need), Chapman witnessed the painful transition from segregation to integration. As one of the children chosen to desegregate the local school system in third grade, he navigated racial tensions daily while watching how sports sometimes bridged divides between Black and white youth. His recollections of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination—and the "eerie quietness" that followed—provide a powerful window into that pivotal moment in American history.
Most striking is Chapman's revelation about the infamous "Mississippi Burning" murders of civil rights workers. Contrary to Hollywood portrayals, Chapman explains that Native American hunters witnessed the killings and informed local pastors, including his mentor Dr. Richard Sylvester Porter, who then told federal authorities where to find the bodies. This untold perspective highlights how much of our civil rights history remains misrepresented or completely unknown.
Chapman's spiritual journey proves equally compelling. Though basketball talent might have led him to college athletics, a persistent calling interrupted those plans. The story of accepting this calling from a phone booth with his last coin—and his father's initial dismissal followed by acceptance—marks the beginning of what would become nearly 45 years in ministry and social justice work.
Listen as Chapman traces his family lineage back to slavery, shares stories of remarkable ancestors, and reveals how his experiences shaped his commitment to overcoming injustice. Whether you're interested in American history, civil rights, spiritual journeys, or simply compelling human stories, this conversation offers profound insights that will stay with you long after the episode ends.
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By Dr. George E HurttDr. Tellis Chapman takes us on a remarkable journey through American history as seen through the eyes of a sharecropper's son who became one of the most influential voices in Black preaching. Growing up in segregated Pascagoula, Mississippi during the turbulent 1960s and 70s, Chapman's story illuminates both personal resilience and our nation's struggle toward racial justice.
From a modest three-bedroom home shared by ten family members (and frequently extended to community members in need), Chapman witnessed the painful transition from segregation to integration. As one of the children chosen to desegregate the local school system in third grade, he navigated racial tensions daily while watching how sports sometimes bridged divides between Black and white youth. His recollections of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination—and the "eerie quietness" that followed—provide a powerful window into that pivotal moment in American history.
Most striking is Chapman's revelation about the infamous "Mississippi Burning" murders of civil rights workers. Contrary to Hollywood portrayals, Chapman explains that Native American hunters witnessed the killings and informed local pastors, including his mentor Dr. Richard Sylvester Porter, who then told federal authorities where to find the bodies. This untold perspective highlights how much of our civil rights history remains misrepresented or completely unknown.
Chapman's spiritual journey proves equally compelling. Though basketball talent might have led him to college athletics, a persistent calling interrupted those plans. The story of accepting this calling from a phone booth with his last coin—and his father's initial dismissal followed by acceptance—marks the beginning of what would become nearly 45 years in ministry and social justice work.
Listen as Chapman traces his family lineage back to slavery, shares stories of remarkable ancestors, and reveals how his experiences shaped his commitment to overcoming injustice. Whether you're interested in American history, civil rights, spiritual journeys, or simply compelling human stories, this conversation offers profound insights that will stay with you long after the episode ends.
Support the show