While it's critical to remember the legacy and historic work of Martin Luther King Jr., a local author said it also is important to recognize the people who preceded King in the struggle for civil rights.

A native of Gary, Robert Kellemen grew up on the west side in a multicultural neighborhood.

He graduated from Calumet High School, and by his own account most of his friends were black or Hispanic.

For Kellemen, it was only natural to want to learn more about the background of those friends.

Kellemen, who now resides in Winfield and is chairman of the master of arts in Christian counseling program at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, Md., said he teaches people of all cultures at the seminary.

"I taught a course on the history of soul care, and part of that history focused on black soul care," he said, adding that he and a colleague became intrigued by the issues of black soul care.

Kellemen and co-author Karole A. Edwards wrote "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

The book, published by Baker Books, was released in September and already has nearly sold out the first printing of 5,000 copies.

Kellemen followed that up with an article focusing on the forerunners to King, the Revs. Richard Allen (1760 -1831) and Absalom Jones (1746-1818).

"They were the founding fathers of the first African American Episcopal Church and in many ways, the civil rights movement," Kellemen said.

Jones and Allen, both ministers in Philadelphia, were attending a church led by white clergy, and there were segregated places for them to sit during worship, Kellemen said.

"They committed the first act of civil disobedience when they sat in a place that was off limits to black people," Kellemen said.

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