Renee Kesler gives powerful presentation at the Carrick Sunday School Class

The Carrick Sunday School class was honored to welcome Renee Kessler, Director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Associate Minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Renee shared from her deep well of knowledge and faith, offering both history and hope to our class.


Her teaching explored the complex legacy of urban renewal in Knoxville, including the displacement of African-American families during the construction of the James White Parkway. She spoke about the history of African Americans in our city and the upcoming Beauford Delaney Building—a mixed-use development that will stand near the childhood home of the renowned modernist painter and Knoxville native. This project, part of the new multi-use stadium led by Randy Boyd, seeks to honor Delaney’s legacy and the cultural heritage of our community.

Renee reminded us that before we are Baptist or Presbyterian or anything else, we are all children of God. Her teaching on Sunday was grounded in Esther chapter 4, where Queen Esther is challenged by her cousin Mordecai to risk her position and safety for the sake of her people. Mordecai’s famous words—“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”—became a powerful reminder that God places each of us in our communities and in this moment for a purpose.


As class member Pam Teague reflected, “It was such a powerful class, none of us wanted it to end!” We are grateful for Renee’s stories, perspective, and faith, which invited us to reflect not only on our city’s past but also on how God is calling us today.