DeForest Soaries : Churches helped blacks ' political , cultural , spiritual progress . They found , in the Bible , a means to cope with dire conditions , he writes . More than place of a worship , Soaries wrote . They fulfilled themselves there . He says black churches instrumental in helping people grow and change .
DeForest Soaries : Churches helped blacks ' political , cultural , spiritual progress . Slaves found , in the Bible , a means to cope with dire circumstances , he writes . More than place of a worship , Soaries says . People fulfilled potential there . He says black churches instrumental in helping people survive and succeed .