The Witness of Our Preaching (Honoring Black History: Dr. Marvin A. McMickle)
by Rev. Dr. K. A. Slayton
February 2, 2026
Navigating our nations cultural tantrums over the decades has been a necessary adaption for my people. I may be a bit biased, but I am convinced that it was the prophetic voice and witness of the black preacher that has been our salvation. This Black History Month I pause to honor and salute influencers and individuals that have
Dr. McMickle, myself and my wife
changed my life and made a major impact on the world. For me there has been no greater inspiration than pastor, professor, author, intellectual thinker, and seminary President—Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle. Recently, I found myself reflecting on his profound influence on so many of us during our years of study in Rochester. I recall specifically around the time of our graduation, Dr. McMickle was to release his book Be My Witness. We were deeply honored to be the first to hear about it, not only because of the book itself, but because we were his final doctoral class as president.
Over time I have come to understand that in that book, Doc was not merely publishing another work— I choose to believe that he was giving us our final lesson, and perhaps our final assignment. What I have always been intrigued by is his desire to be a constant learner.
Recently, I reached out to Dr. McMickle for his advice. To me, he remains the closest living embodiment of Dr. King’s moral clarity and prophetic courage. But beyond admiration, I needed his counsel. I asked him a simple but searching question:
“Dr. McMickle, if you have a moment in the coming days, would you consider this for me? What boundaries should our preaching observe in this season? And what boundaries must our preaching cross in this season—particularly as African American clergy?”
His response was sobering and soberingly clear.
He said, “The real question is this: how much risk are you willing to run? Assume we are living in a time when
Dr. McMickle speaking
we can be monitored, recorded, and reported for speaking against the regime. In many ways, we are now discovering how the rest of the world has long lived. With that in mind, preach in the spirit of First Timothy—preach in season and out of season. Preach the gospel in the face of the godless. Never assume that things cannot change, even when change seems impossible.”
He went on to say, “More important than what we preach is how we choose to live. Do not fall silent in the face of human suffering. Do not blame the victim while exonerating the guilty. Do not be intimidated by threats or cruelty. And most of all, do not be afraid to get into trouble. If this wicked world is not trying to silence you, then you are not making enough noise. How much risk are you willing to run? The content of our preaching will always be shaped by the depth of our character. Remember the words of St. Francis: ‘Preach at all times, and when necessary, use words.’”
Those words have remained with me over the past few weeks as things are intensified in our nations dismantling. I needed Dr. McMickle’s words to put into proper perspective my own words and the interpretation of others. And it was then—while rereading Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail—that something finally dawned on me. I have read Dr. King for years. I have quoted him. I have preached him. I have taught his philosophy and theology to my students. But for most of that time, I was reading King in a season of comfort.
This time is different.
To read King now—during a season of real challenge, real threat, and real consequence—his words land differently. They burn differently. They demand something deeper from me.
And like so many colleagues, I sense that we are being called in this hour to no longer remain silent, but to say something about the things we are witnessing. To speak where there is suffering. To testify where there is injustice. And if we are ever given the opportunity, to at least—by word, by life, by courage—be a witness.
This Black History Month I am beyond grateful that I have been a witness to the mentorship, leadership, scholarship and friendship of Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle.
