In an Age of Upheaval, New Book Explores Why Faith Communities Are "Never Lost"
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson offers a message of endurance, hope, and cultural relevance
PITTSBURGH, PA, January 16, 2026 -- In a time marked by social upheaval, political polarization, economic uncertainty, and widespread spiritual fatigue, many are wondering whether faith communities can still serve as anchors of hope. Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson addresses that question in his new book, Never Lost: The Black Church as God's Ark of the Covenant.
Through theological imagery, historical insight, and lived pastoral experience, the book explores how the Black Church has carried God's presence through centuries of adversity, serving as a vessel of resilience, dignity, and communal strength. Richardson argues that faith does not eliminate hardship, but it does sustain communities through it, providing continuity when other institutions fail.
Using the biblical image of the Ark of the Covenant, Never Lost presents the Church as a sacred repository of God's promise—one that travels with people through crisis rather than abandoning them in it. The book speaks to readers wrestling with questions of purpose, belonging, and perseverance in an increasingly fractured world.
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr., Senior Bishop (Retired) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, emphasizes the book's enduring relevance, writing, "In Never Lost, Richardson is historian, theologian, and prophet. He makes a serious case for the Black Church's redemptive leadership role. Never Lost is a source of inspiration and a contemporary witness to the power of God working through God's Church. Generations unborn must see it."
By grounding hope in covenant faith rather than circumstance, Never Lost offers reassurance to readers seeking meaning, stability, and courage in uncertain times. The book reminds communities that endurance is not accidental; it is cultivated through faith, memory, and collective responsibility.
Never Lost: The Black Church as God's Ark of the Covenant, set for release on February 3 from Wharton Curtis Press, is currently available for preorder at NeverLostBook.com.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is the Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York, where he has served for more than 50 years. Dr. Richardson is the author of Never Lost and Witness to Grace, and he has spent decades advancing faith-rooted leadership and justice through pastoral ministry and public engagement. He currently serves as Chair of the Conference of National Black Churches and has held leadership roles with Virginia Union University and the National Action Network.
About Wharton Curtis Press
Wharton Curtis Press is an imprint of The Church Online, LLC, Publishing Division, dedicated to publishing works of faith, culture, and purpose. With decades of experience in publishing, design, and distribution, Wharton Curtis Press is committed to amplifying voices that inform, inspire, and engage the world with depth and integrity.
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