The Dream Lives On - by Jacob W Elias

Book Synopsis

Dorothy Word, an African American woman dreaming of a hopeful future for her people, advocated for African American scientists, athletes, inventors, and others often not recognized for their contributions. She writes not as noted scholar, politician, or journalist, but as a layperson from the back row of public visibility. As a retired teacher in several elementary schools she continued to lobby for children and their families. She was an activist passionately pursuing the dream for equity and justice for all. Her voice needs to be heard, and Jacob offers a perceptive framework for an intercultural understanding of her message. Dorothy first became acquainted with Jacob Elias and his wife Lillian in 2001 when they were pastors of her congregation, Parkview Mennonite Church, Kokomo, Indiana. Following her retirement Dorothy wrote newspaper columns for the Kokomo Tribune. Having served as her pastor for four years and ten years later exercising power of attorney for her as she receded into dementia, Jacob gathered forty-one of her articles into this volume.

Review Quotes

"This summary of Dorothy Word's thoughts in writing is an accurate reflection of her beliefs. I became friends with Word through a mutual friend when we were high-school age, and our relationship was maintained through letter writing for sixty-five years. She always carried a sense of humor and could see beyond the present moment. This carries through in her writing, as evidenced by this book."
--Grace Whitehead, retired pastor

"The Dream Lives On is an inspiring exegetical (and eisegetical) faith-narrative of Dorothy Word by Jacob Elias. Word is truly one among a historical litany of Black women who, even in their relative anonymity, were towering activists for Black freedom, courage, and celebratory joy. And while clearly understanding the risks and challenges of bringing forth a Black woman's voice not his own, Elias strives with diligence to have Word speak for herself."
--James Logan, professor and director of African and African American studies, Earlham College

About the Author

Jacob W. Elias is a retired pastor and professor emeritus of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He is the author of 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Believers Church Bible Commentary, 1995), and Remember the Future: The Pastoral Theology of Paul the Apostle (2006). Jacob and his wife Lillian live in Goshen, Indiana. They have a globally dispersed family of three children, seven grandchildren, and a growing number of great grandchildren.