Carly Wanna Photo
Barry Black in New Haven on Saturday.
U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black claims that we live in a lunatic world — but one in which we can not simply survive, but thrive.
Black offered advice on that topic during an hour-long address Saturday at Albertus Magnus College as part of a pilot event called “Mission Himpossible” organized by Mount Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church. After Black’s address, the congregation served lunch, collected food and other donations for the community, offered free blood tests, and held discussions about local issues.
“We will not yield for Christ for Christ has ordained that we will triumph through Him. So we have this beautiful blueprint to thriving in a predatory world,” said Black.
As Senate chaplain, Black opens each day’s session with prayer and provides counseling and spiritual support for senators and their families as well as staff members. He was elected the Senate’s 62nd chaplain in 2003.
Black has studied theology, philosophy and psychology and secured the position of Navy Chaplain in 1976. Dwight Ware of New Haven introduced Black on Saturday, citing his autobiography From the Hood to the Hill, which he described as a story of overcoming adversity.
Twenty minutes into his sermon, Black unpacked his call to thrive in a lunatic world by outlining three principles for the congregation. His first pillar pressed people to not give up on Jesus due to his disciples. He said that too many people abandon church due to negative interactions with fellow worshipers, leaving many of them wishing to return to their religious bodies.
His second pillar affirmed the common desire to serve God, calling the congregation to bless others with the power they draw from the Lord. According to Black, there will be more people in heaven than most people realize, as it is “more difficult to be lost than to be saved.”
Tamara Nathan-Oputa.
“Watch out when you think you’re the only one serving the Lord,” said Black.
In his final point, Black told the congregation not to grieve Jesus Christ. He discussed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his writings, asking the Church why the Sabbath remains “one of the most segregated hours of the week.”
He then challenged the audience to strengthen their faith.
“I tell my mentees, and I tell senators, and I tell staffers on Capitol Hill, every day you eat physical food, get some spiritual food in you,” said Black.
Black has been in contact with community members for years, saying he knew many of them growing up as a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which observes the Saturday sabbath. Tamara Nathan-Oputa, Mount Zion’s education director, said the organization needed a strong keynote speaker.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Nathan-Oputa. “I’m amazed. I’m in awe.”
