Curious World Staff
Bill Pannell, a famous Black evangelical leader who advocated for white evangelicals to tackle American racism, died on October 11 at the age of 95. He highlighted that the Christian message is ultimately about reconciliation, both with God and with humans. Pannell chastised white evangelicals for their hesitation to confront racism, frequently asking Black people to shoulder the weight of reconciliation.
In his 1968 book, My Friend, The Enemy, Pannell reflected on his experiences with racism and the impact of white supremacy on his dignity. He found solace in the gospel but was disheartened to see that those preaching it often ignored the social problems stemming from sin. He revisited the topic following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, warning that society could not afford to overlook racism.
Pannell was born June 25, 1929, in Sturgis, Michigan, and grew up in a small Black town. His experience with exclusion drove him to seek inclusion in faith communities. After completing Fort Wayne Bible College, he became an evangelist, realizing the sharp contrast between church acceptance and societal rejection outside of it.
Later, while working with Youth For Christ, Pannell became increasingly troubled by the lack of concern among white evangelicals for the civil rights and economic conditions of Black Americans. He observed that while they were eager to evangelize Black souls, they often neglected broader social injustices.
Despite his disillusionment, Pannell was invited to join the board of Fuller Theological Seminary, where he became the first Black board member and then the first Black professor. He founded a program for theological education of Black pastors, which evolved into the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies.
Throughout his career, Pannell continued to mentor Black ministers and challenge white evangelicals to address racism seriously. He believed in the potential for transformation within the evangelical movement, calling for repentance and a return to the core Christian values of love and justice. He is survived by his son Peter.
