To kick off this year’s Black History month, our church was invited to be a part of an intimate conversation with Saddleback members Tina and Thomas Hopson.

Since 1976, February has been designated as Black History Month in America. It is a time set aside each year to honor the sacrifices, struggles, and successes of the many generations of African Americans who have contributed to making the nation a better place for all people. Four years after President Gerald Ford first recognized February as Black History Month, Pastor Rick Warren founded Saddleback Church and an all-nation congregation began to form.

Saddleback would not be the church it is today without its diversity. With dozens of languages spoken and many racial and ethnic backgrounds represented at the church, Saddleback aims to highlight the unique strengths and stories of all of our brothers and sisters.

To kick off this year’s Black History month, our church was invited to be a part of an intimate conversation with Saddleback members Tina and Thomas Hopson. The Hopsons have a rich legacy of resilience that has been passed down from generation to generation on both sides of their family. Sharing that history with their two sons, Jordan and T.J., and with our community is one of the ways the Hopsons hope to honor those who came before them.

The Hopsons started attending Saddleback in 2006. Since that time, the family has participated and served as leaders over many ministries at Saddleback, including Small Groups, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Celebrate Recovery, Ushering, Choir, PEACE Trips, the PEACE Farm, and Counseling Ministry.

Many of the Hopson family’s ancestors have played instrumental roles in shaping their communities, fighting for African American rights, and spreading the love of Christ. One relative was a Buffalo Soldier who fought amongst freed slaves following the Civil War. Another ancestor helped to eliminate a voting tax that prevented many African Americans from being able to cast a ballot.