The Carl Spain Center was founded to be a voice of hope that speaks to the hearts, minds, and souls of all Christians. Inspired by the same Spirit that emboldened Carl Spain’s courageous and prophetic speech in 1960, we have sought to renew his original call to the Christian community today by boldly engaging in the work of racial unity. The Center heavily emphasizes spiritual formation as a method to address racism that is often “spiritualized” in the hearts of Christians. Out of our commitment to racial unity, the Carl Spain Center seeks to address the hearts, minds, and souls of all Christians through an engagement in spiritual disciplines, critical inquiry, and compassionate dialogue. As the world becomes increasingly polarized, the Carl Spain Center is uniquely equipped to help lead the ACU community and the Christian church with courageous compassion.

The Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action honors the courage and legacy of Carl Spain, an ACU professor who challenged the school to open its doors to Black students with his speech, “Modern Challenges to Christian Morals,” at the 1960 ACU Lectures (formerly ACC).

 “Observing the current moment reveals a desperate need for leadership that can model the boundary-defying and unifying teachings of Jesus to the Church and nation. I believe the Carl Spain Center is uniquely equipped to help meet this need and lead the ACU community and Christian church towards unity. Together, we will be catalysts for spiritual formation and social change in our religious communities.” – Tryce Prince, Executive Director