In his forthcoming book 'Never Lost: The Black Church as God's Ark of the Covenant,' Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson presents a theological and historical examination of how Black faith communities have sustained hope through prolonged adversity. The work arrives during a period characterized by social upheaval, political polarization, economic uncertainty, and spiritual fatigue, directly addressing whether such communities can still function as anchors. Richardson, drawing on theological imagery, historical insight, and pastoral experience, argues that faith does not eliminate hardship but sustains communities through it, providing crucial continuity when other societal institutions falter.
The central metaphor of the book is the biblical Ark of the Covenant, reimagining the Church as a sacred repository of God's promise that travels with people through crisis rather than abandoning them. This framework is used to explore how the Black Church has functioned as a vessel of resilience, dignity, and communal strength. The narrative speaks to readers wrestling with contemporary questions of purpose, belonging, and perseverance in a fractured world, suggesting that endurance is cultivated intentionally through faith, memory, and collective responsibility.
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr., Senior Bishop (Retired) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, underscores the book's significance, describing the author as historian, theologian, and prophet. He states the work makes a serious case for the Black Church's ongoing redemptive leadership role, serving as both inspiration and a contemporary witness to divine power operating through community. By grounding hope in covenant faith rather than transient circumstance, 'Never Lost' aims to offer reassurance to those seeking meaning, stability, and courage.
The book is scheduled for release on February 3, 2026, from Wharton Curtis Press, an imprint dedicated to publishing works of faith, culture, and purpose. It is currently available for preorder at https://NeverLostBook.com. The publication seeks to contribute to ongoing conversations about the role of faith-based institutions in providing a foundation for communal endurance and hope amidst widespread uncertainty.
