The Austin Stone Podcast

The current racial demographics of most Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Huston-Tillotson, lead some to believe that it has always been this way. That Black people founded, administered, and taught at Black schools and HBCUs. While true in some cases, it’s simply not reflective of history. We must remember one thing, that during that time African people were considered ‘property, not people’ by the broader population. However, enslaved African people in the U.S. actively resisted this notion in demonstrative ways. This is evident in all the ways Africans and their descendants pursued higher learning and made historic contributions in all fields against all odds.Although HT’s history, like many HBCUs in the U.S., are rooted in the agendas that discounted the interest of Black communities, Black people fought and lost their lives in the very literal sense to take control of their education and their institutions. During every phase of Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ existence, prominent men and women emerged from these institutions and went on to do great things within their communities.Austin is no different.

We partnered with local historians and organizations to create “Know Austin, Love Austin,” a guided audio tour of racially-significant landmarks in our city. The tour highlights four locations across Austin, introducing its listeners to the historical importance of each site. Each stop includes a brief history of the landmark, remarks based on a Christ-centered perspective, and space for guided reflection and prayer. It is our hope that this audio tour opens a door for us to see our city in a new way—that it educates us on the history of systemic racism and injustice and prompts us to be advocates for God’s justice and agents of meaningful change. We pray that this tour would arm us with the knowledge of the origins, results, and ongoing effects of injustice in our society and drive us to display the glory of the gospel in new ways.

Ross Lester leads The Austin Stone through Matthew 17:1-13 on the transfiguration.

Ross Lester, a native of South Africa, will share how we can grow in our love for the nations.

Ross Lester preaches on the sanctity of life from Psalm 139.

Halim Suh teaches on one of the ways we can be a church that loves our city—by showing the beauty of racial harmony and ethnic unity that God designed His church to exemplify.

Today, Ross Lester preaches from 1 Peter 2:9-10 on the topic, “How Can We Grow In Our Love For The Church?”

Greg Breazeale kicks off our vision series by teaching on God being our first and highest love from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

Matt Blackwell leads us through 2 Chronicles 20 with a message on “Praying in the New Year.”

Ross Lester teaches on the constant reminders of the love of God in the sending of Jesus Christ.