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Light in the Dark Belt - The Story of Rosa Young
Rosa Young's passion for education led her to influence the founding of 30 Lutheran schools, 35 Lutheran congregations, and Concordia College Alabama. An advocate for children, she touched the lives of more than 2,000 students in Alabama alone.
First published in 1930, Rosa Young s autobiography is a story of faith, courage, labor, and perseverance.
First published in 1930, Rosa Young s autobiography is a story of faith, courage, labor, and perseverance.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 1951
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 22, 2020
Rosa Young's dedication to helping others and her complete trust in God to guide and help her in every situation, large or small, are so inspiring to me. I highly recommend this autobiography to anyone who wants to know what life was like in the deep South in the early 1900s and how much people there struggled just to feed their families and maybe provide basic necessities, much less give them access to things like schooling. We take so much for granted in our lives these days, even when we have an economic downturn or a pandemic, and I was humbled to read how much Rosa Young and others like her could accomplish with so little to work with.
April 2, 2016
This was really interesting to discover how religious life was in the early 1900s in the south & how God showed this amazing woman His light & how she spread His Gospel.
September 13, 2020
What an amazing story of life in rural Alabama at the dawn of the 20th Century. The witness of extreme poverty is beyond what any of us today could ever comprehend. The lack of moral understanding and genuine Christian values were missing from so many souls.
Dr. Rosa Young took it upon herself to teach those in the "dark" and bring them to the "light."
"Sad! Sad! We were all blind and leaders of the blind. We did not know the Bible, neither did the preachers know it. We did not know what we must do to be saved, neither did the preachers." Quote by Miss Young on Page 62.
From 1909 to 1916 Dr. Young opened schools in the Selma area and taught the basics and Christianity. Unfortunately, she was low on funds and could not keep her schools running. With the encouragement of others, she reached out to the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) and with some perseverance and tenacity on her part, she won over Pastor Nils J. Bakke (mission pastor).
In all, she founded 30 Lutheran schools, 35 Lutheran congregations and the Concordia College in Selma, Alabama. Some of the churches are still in operation. The college closed in 2018 due to declining enrollment.
Her determination and strength should be an inspiration to all of us. She showed an inner strength and ability to persevere in some of the worst living conditions (no running water, electricity or heat). It is written in her unique style of Southern writing.
Dr. Young's closing hymn is one of my favorites. These are my comments to my mother for our daily hymn exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic. "My hymn for the day (June 28, 2020) is 'Thou (God or Lord) Whose Almighty Word.' Red 309 and Green 400. I find it odd that the hymn tune is Italian and Moscow. It seems that the tune writer was born in Italy and he died in Moscow, Russia. Sometimes there are some extra "flowery" notes added to the tune--the green hymnal. The red hymnal keeps it solid (no flowers to be seen). I like the last line of each stanza "Let there be light." The final stanza/verse is a doxology."
". . .I am with you always. . ." Matt 28:20.
Dr. Rosa Young took it upon herself to teach those in the "dark" and bring them to the "light."
"Sad! Sad! We were all blind and leaders of the blind. We did not know the Bible, neither did the preachers know it. We did not know what we must do to be saved, neither did the preachers." Quote by Miss Young on Page 62.
From 1909 to 1916 Dr. Young opened schools in the Selma area and taught the basics and Christianity. Unfortunately, she was low on funds and could not keep her schools running. With the encouragement of others, she reached out to the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) and with some perseverance and tenacity on her part, she won over Pastor Nils J. Bakke (mission pastor).
In all, she founded 30 Lutheran schools, 35 Lutheran congregations and the Concordia College in Selma, Alabama. Some of the churches are still in operation. The college closed in 2018 due to declining enrollment.
Her determination and strength should be an inspiration to all of us. She showed an inner strength and ability to persevere in some of the worst living conditions (no running water, electricity or heat). It is written in her unique style of Southern writing.
Dr. Young's closing hymn is one of my favorites. These are my comments to my mother for our daily hymn exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic. "My hymn for the day (June 28, 2020) is 'Thou (God or Lord) Whose Almighty Word.' Red 309 and Green 400. I find it odd that the hymn tune is Italian and Moscow. It seems that the tune writer was born in Italy and he died in Moscow, Russia. Sometimes there are some extra "flowery" notes added to the tune--the green hymnal. The red hymnal keeps it solid (no flowers to be seen). I like the last line of each stanza "Let there be light." The final stanza/verse is a doxology."
". . .I am with you always. . ." Matt 28:20.
June 14, 2018
I judge a book by how much it grabs my attention as I am reading it, and how much research I do as I read it. Does it entice me to dig deeper into the lives of those it mentions? Does it keep my interest so that I want to read it to the end? This book is one of those books. I have never read anything about rural Alabama before. Nor have I read anything about the advancement of the black church, especially the Lutheran Church, during the early part of the 20th century. This is a fascinating read. Rosa Young tells of life for the colored people during a time that I had no clue what life must have been for them. Her use of words to describe the times intrigued me to read more. And she whetted my appetite to find out more about Alabama and its history. She mentioned people, both black and white, who made a difference in the life of the church there. People who are long gone now, but who, nevertheless, made an impact on not only her, but for those who lived during that time, and likewise for us today. I recommend this book. It isn't long, only 200 pages. And it doesn't have many pictures. But her words leave me wanting to dig more into her life and into the lives of those who lived in the Dark Belt of Alabama.
December 23, 2020
Persistence. One word to describe teacher Rosa Young. She never gave up in her mission to teach others about their Savior. In the deep south of Alabama, Young was instrumental in starting numerous Lutheran schools and missions among the colored people in the early 1900’s. Her greatest help came from her confidante Rev. Nils Bakke. Young describes in detail her successes and her failures. How did she teach over 100 students all by herself? (kind of puts today’s classroom sizes to shame) How did she continue teaching the gospel despite her failing health? Well done, good and faithful servant. I am in awe.
November 5, 2022
This was an eye-opening book for me about the condition of African Americans in late 1800s, early 1900s in the South. They suffered both physical and spiritual poverty. It is a story of how God worked perseverance in the heart of one woman to better her people through education. She was a woman of great faith and prayer, and God connected her with the Lutheran Church to bring good education and the light of the Gospel to her region. As a result, her eyes were opened to all that Jesus had done for her to save her from her sins. Her model of education and church planting spread rapidly but also brought great persecution to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
I really enjoyed reading about this remarkable woman of faith. It’s amazing how much God accomplished through one woman’s missionary efforts in her home state of Alabama. Rosa Young’s story will inspire anyone who desires to make disciples of Jesus.
July 21, 2025
Interesting and inspiring story of a woman who dedicated her entire life to her Christian faith and the Lutheran church. Living in Wilcox County I am glad to know her history and appreciate all she did for others.
September 15, 2017
This book is about life for poor blacks in Alabama at the turn of 1900s. Very informational.
January 12, 2019
My great-grandfather is in this book as a person who contributed positively to the education of blacks. I even managed to get my dad to read this book! :)
October 1, 2020
Rosa Young had extraordinary passion and drive for the Ministry of bringing Christ to her people. If only we could all be as bold.
July 21, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What an amazing and incredible woman! It was very impactful and inspiring to hear of her life from her own perspective. Wish I could have met Rosa Young!
October 19, 2022
Very interesting read about Rosa’s life growing up in rural Alabama in the early 1900’s from her own perspective. I admire her work ethic, perseverance, and faith.
February 1, 2017
Rosa Young's book, "Light in the Dark Belt," is a great inspiration to me. Her story is a great example of Hebrews 12.1: "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us."
She was born in 1890 in Rosebud, Alabama. Her father was an African Methodist pastor. Her mother was a woman of high moral character and a great encouragement to her. She, along with so many in the post-war south, lived through great poverty. She describes the huts and cabins in which people lived, the ragged clothing, and the poor table fare eaten from tin pans and buckets with fingers.
Worse than this was the spiritual and educational situation of the people. Here is her description of the spiritual conditions:
I knew something was wrong with the kind of religion my people had, but I did not know what was wrong about it. I desired a better Christian training for myself and my people, but I did not know where to find it. The religion of my people was a mere pretense, a kind of manufactured religion. Those who belonged to church were no better than those who did not. In most of the homes the so-called Christian families as well as the unbelievers lived in envy, strife, malice, prejudice, bitter hatred, yea, hellish riot; in covetousness; in adultery and fornication; in theft and lying.
In hundreds of homes the Bible was never read, a prayer was never spoken, and a Christian hymn was never sung. The whole family lay down at night and rose the next morning, and each went out to do his work without saying a word of thanks to God. Sin was looked upon by most people as a small thing. They held divine services in their churches twelve times a year, on the average once a month. No one took the time to teach them Christian hymns; they sang old plantation songs during their services.
Rosa was a good student who loved learning. With encouragement and help she was able to graduate from Payne University in Selma, Alabama in 1909 to become a school teacher. She advocated relentlessly for education and worked hard to raise the educational standards of the children in southern Alabama.
The 1914 Boll Weevil infestation of the Alabama Black Belt (named for the soil color) wreaked havoc and made Rosa's educational efforts difficult. But this proved to be a blessing in disguise. Rosa wrote to Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute for help. He wrote back telling her that his funds were exhausted, but that she should contact the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in St. Louis. They might be able to help. They sent Rev. Nils J. Bakke, who began helping Rosa with her education and mission efforts. Along with help from other pastors, Rosa eventually founded 30 Lutheran schools and 35 Lutheran congregations.
I am especially impressed and encouraged by Rosa's concern for the Bible and true doctrine. She was not a missionary with a lot of zeal and very little doctrine. Like the Apostle Paul, she was both zealous and devoted to the truth of God's word and particularly to the Gospel message of forgiveness in Christ, crucified and risen. Rosa's method was to go out and visit. She wrote,
Visiting is the key to success in mission work. It unlocks the door of opportunity where you may enter many a home and tell the people the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
And again,
During the summer months, when I was not teaching school, I made it a rule to visit every home in the community and also in the adjacent communities, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran. I made a list of the names of the people who did not belong to, or attend, any church. Such people I called my mission-material, and I endeavored by the help of the Lord to get them into my Church. As it was summertime, I would find the people mostly in the fields. Many times they worked miles away from their homes; but no matter where they were or who they were, men, women, or children, I would find them and deliver my Bible message to them.
I hunted lost souls for Jesus somewhat as I hunted for money to build and maintain my first school. I endeavored to tell this Bible message to every person I saw that day. No matter how long it took me to work up to the point in our chat or conversation where I could deliver my Bible verse, I would deliver it. When I had told my message to one person, I would proceed to another. I walked in prayer all along the way from one person to another, asking the Lord to bless the message of His Word as I delivered it.
I think what I will remember most about Rosa is a comment by one of her relatives. After Rosa had recovered from an illness and was preparing to continue her work, her relative asked: “Are you going back to tramping again?” To which Rosa replied: “Oh, don’t call it tramping! I am going back to save souls for Jesus.”
She was born in 1890 in Rosebud, Alabama. Her father was an African Methodist pastor. Her mother was a woman of high moral character and a great encouragement to her. She, along with so many in the post-war south, lived through great poverty. She describes the huts and cabins in which people lived, the ragged clothing, and the poor table fare eaten from tin pans and buckets with fingers.
Worse than this was the spiritual and educational situation of the people. Here is her description of the spiritual conditions:
I knew something was wrong with the kind of religion my people had, but I did not know what was wrong about it. I desired a better Christian training for myself and my people, but I did not know where to find it. The religion of my people was a mere pretense, a kind of manufactured religion. Those who belonged to church were no better than those who did not. In most of the homes the so-called Christian families as well as the unbelievers lived in envy, strife, malice, prejudice, bitter hatred, yea, hellish riot; in covetousness; in adultery and fornication; in theft and lying.
In hundreds of homes the Bible was never read, a prayer was never spoken, and a Christian hymn was never sung. The whole family lay down at night and rose the next morning, and each went out to do his work without saying a word of thanks to God. Sin was looked upon by most people as a small thing. They held divine services in their churches twelve times a year, on the average once a month. No one took the time to teach them Christian hymns; they sang old plantation songs during their services.
Rosa was a good student who loved learning. With encouragement and help she was able to graduate from Payne University in Selma, Alabama in 1909 to become a school teacher. She advocated relentlessly for education and worked hard to raise the educational standards of the children in southern Alabama.
The 1914 Boll Weevil infestation of the Alabama Black Belt (named for the soil color) wreaked havoc and made Rosa's educational efforts difficult. But this proved to be a blessing in disguise. Rosa wrote to Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute for help. He wrote back telling her that his funds were exhausted, but that she should contact the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in St. Louis. They might be able to help. They sent Rev. Nils J. Bakke, who began helping Rosa with her education and mission efforts. Along with help from other pastors, Rosa eventually founded 30 Lutheran schools and 35 Lutheran congregations.
I am especially impressed and encouraged by Rosa's concern for the Bible and true doctrine. She was not a missionary with a lot of zeal and very little doctrine. Like the Apostle Paul, she was both zealous and devoted to the truth of God's word and particularly to the Gospel message of forgiveness in Christ, crucified and risen. Rosa's method was to go out and visit. She wrote,
Visiting is the key to success in mission work. It unlocks the door of opportunity where you may enter many a home and tell the people the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
And again,
During the summer months, when I was not teaching school, I made it a rule to visit every home in the community and also in the adjacent communities, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran. I made a list of the names of the people who did not belong to, or attend, any church. Such people I called my mission-material, and I endeavored by the help of the Lord to get them into my Church. As it was summertime, I would find the people mostly in the fields. Many times they worked miles away from their homes; but no matter where they were or who they were, men, women, or children, I would find them and deliver my Bible message to them.
I hunted lost souls for Jesus somewhat as I hunted for money to build and maintain my first school. I endeavored to tell this Bible message to every person I saw that day. No matter how long it took me to work up to the point in our chat or conversation where I could deliver my Bible verse, I would deliver it. When I had told my message to one person, I would proceed to another. I walked in prayer all along the way from one person to another, asking the Lord to bless the message of His Word as I delivered it.
I think what I will remember most about Rosa is a comment by one of her relatives. After Rosa had recovered from an illness and was preparing to continue her work, her relative asked: “Are you going back to tramping again?” To which Rosa replied: “Oh, don’t call it tramping! I am going back to save souls for Jesus.”
August 11, 2016
Rosa Young was highly instrumental in bringing Lutheran schools and churches into the "dark belt" of Alabama in the early 1900s. Her story, Light in the Dark Belt, is most enlightening and worthy to read. Most people have never heard of her or her story, but her life-work/vocation is truly the work of God. Highly recommended.
February 7, 2025
Rosa Young was an amazing woman, with incredible love for the people in Alabama. She had a dream to start a school for them, and later had the dream to lead them out of their spiritual darkness by bringing the Lutheran Church to them. She started many schools and churches during her lifetime,
despite hardships of many kinds. Her faith despite the obstacles she faced is truly inspiring.
despite hardships of many kinds. Her faith despite the obstacles she faced is truly inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews