Customer Reviews

In Darkness With God: The Life of Joseph Gomez, a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church

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Bishop Gomez built the AME church in Cleveland, Ohio. He rewrote church doctrine in the 1970s for the first time since written by Richard Allen. The book also depicted his struggles and lonely walk with God as he lead a Black congregation and was faced with issues during the Civil Rights movement. The book was easy to read, inspiring, and you didn't want to put it down until finished!

An absorbing biography of an Afircan-American's rise to the highest position of the AME church as a Bishop, and his challenges to build and maintain the church. It also explains his challenges and struggles in America as a African-American and the love of God, his family, friends an associates . It was hard to put down. At times I was with him in the struggles. It provides another format to look at the African-American history in America, and the impact on a cutlture and people. His daughter has done an excellent job at collecting and recording this history. I only hope others will follow in her footsteps. The book was rather pricey but well done with adequate references.

Joseph Gomez (1890-1979) was an AME minister, and was ordained a Bishop in 1948. He was also a teacher, civil rights pioneer, scholar, writer, and humanitarian. He was born on the island of Antigua and came to the US in 1908. He served several congregations but was most closely associated with Ohio, particularly Cleveland and also Wilberforce college, from which he graduated.

His biography tells the inspiring story of his life, family, ministry, struggles, and victories.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." He has also authored "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."