The Resurrection School: Professor Michael Ayers, M.A. on Faith, Study, and the Mission

By Launita Jacobs Dawson

In a conversation with the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper, the founder of The Resurrection School reflects on biblical study, cultural memory, and the importance of reading history with greater care and curiosity.

For more than three decades, Professor Michael Ayers has pursued a line of study he describes as both spiritual and scholarly. As the founder of Resurrection School, he says his work grew from a deep familiarity with scripture, years of reflection, and a commitment to helping people think more critically about what they read, what they inherit, and what histories they may have been taught to overlook.

Speaking with the Milwaukee Times as part of its Small Business Spotlight series, Ayers discussed the origins of The Resurrection School, his long-running study of Black presence in biblical history, and his belief that communities are strengthened when they read more deeply and preserve their own stories more intentionally.

A calling rooted in faith
Ayers says The Resurrection School began more than 35 years ago, not as part of a formal ministry, but through what he understands as spiritual direction. Raised in the church and immersed in Bible study from a young age, he says scripture was always familiar to him. Over time, however, he came to believe that reading the Bible carefully required more than familiarity; it required a willingness to revisit the text with fresh attention and deeper study.

That sense of purpose continues to shape the mission he describes today. Ayers says his goal is to help people emotionally, intellectually, and practically through study and reflection. In his view, knowledge is most useful when it leads not only to information, but also to understanding and growth.

Reading beyond what we are told
A central part of Ayers’ work is his study of Black presence in biblical history. He describes one defining moment as a late-night prompting to study Abraham, a moment that led him into years of research about names, places, language, and interpretation in scripture. From there, he began examining terms such as Kush and Ethiopia, asking how those words have been understood and how those understandings have shaped religious teaching.

Throughout the interview, Ayers returns to one consistent point: people should read more for themselves. He encourages readers to consult dictionaries, biblical reference books, and history texts rather than relying only on what they have heard in classrooms or from the pulpit. For him, the discipline of study is not just academic
—it is a way of reclaiming context, asking better questions, and discovering what standard narratives may have omitted.

How sociology informs his perspective
In addition to leading The Resurrection School, Ayers is a sociology professor. He says that training in sociology and behavioral sciences has shaped the way he thinks about identity, group behavior, and public perception. In the interview, he describes sociology as a useful lens for understanding how communities are viewed, how they respond to outside pressure, and how perspective influences the stories societies tell about themselves. That framework also informs the way he talks about history. Ayers argues that communities are often described by people outside of them, and that those descriptions do not always capture the full truth.

Juneteenth as celebration and reflection
When the conversation turned to Juneteenth, Ayers framed the holiday as more than a festival. He described it as a time for remembrance, gratitude, and collective reflection—a moment to acknowledge survival, freedom, and the importance of keeping history alive through community traditions. In that sense, he sees Juneteenth as part of a broader practice of cultural memory, one that can connect families, neighborhoods, and generations.

He suggests that celebrations such as Juneteenth, family reunions, and other recurring gatherings can serve as meaningful anchors—occasions not only for joy, but also for reflection on where communities have been and what they hope to build next. The conversation’s local context matters here: Milwaukee’s long-running Juneteenth tradition stands as an example of how a celebration can also become an expression of continuity and collective pride.

Collaboration, ownership, and the need to tell the story fully
Asked how minority – owned businesses and organizations might work together more effectively, Ayers spoke about the tension between collaboration and cultural preservation. He emphasized the value of mutual support, while also warning that communities can lose ownership of their contributions when their ideas, traditions, or achievements are absorbed into broader narratives without proper recognition. For him, collaboration works best when it is grounded in respect, awareness, and a clear understanding of where those contributions began.

Documentation matters. Ayers argues that communities must continue writing, preserving, and teaching their own histories if they want those histories to remain visible. Whether he is discussing faith, education, or invention, his central message is consistent: fuller stories require people willing to seek them out and tell them well.

Books, outreach, and advice for young readers
For young people, his advice is simple and direct: start reading. Read dictionaries, read history, read reference books, and keep looking for the fuller picture even when it is not immediately visible. And for those who may want a better perspective on his research and studies, he also points readers to his published work, including A Black History Bible Study on Discovering Blacks in the Bible, Words of a Thoughtful King and Wise Elder and It Is Written all of which are available online.
Professor Ayers believes communities grow stronger when they know their history, question incomplete narratives, and invest in telling their own stories with care. In that way, Ayers’ work stands not only as a teaching opportunity, but as an invitation to read more deeply and think more deliberately about faith, culture, and memory.
For more information about The Resurrection School or to connect with Professor Ayers please visit him at:
The Resurrection School | Black History Bible Study Lecturer https://www.theresurrectionschool.org/, Instagram @TheResurrectionSchool and by email at VResurrectionSchool@yahoo.com. All published work can be purchased from Amazon.