PKs (Preachers' Kids) Who Made a Difference Quiz

Answer: Aretha Franklin

As a child, Franklin began singing, at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Her father, C.L. Franklin, preached there from 1946 until his death, from gunshot wounds by burglars, in 1979. Throughout her career Franklin credited much of her success to her church background.

This Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame and the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Answer: Jane Austen

Austen was born in the small village of Steventon in Hampshire County, England. Although there is not much known about her childhood, we know that she came from a large family (six brothers and one sister). The family was considered happy and close, but not wealthy.

Her father, George Austen, was the rector at the Anglican church in Steventon, where she wrote her two most successful novels, "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejuduce". Although a successful writer, she was taken advantage of financially and after the death of her father, in 1805, Austen and her mother and sister struggled financially. Austen never married and died in 1817.

Answer: Zen Master

Jackson's early years were spent in rural Montana in a home where televison, dancing and going to movies were not allowed. He was, however, allowed to participate in high school sports and became a star in baseball, track and field, football and basketball.

Although Jackson said that as a child he thought he would be a preacher, he received a scholarship to play basketball at the University of North Dakota which led to him being drafted to play and eventually coach in the NBA. As part of his coaching philosophy, Jackson, who had studied other religions, taught the importance of meditation and mindfulness as well as other Buddhist and Native American principles. Because of this approach, he was known as the "Zen Master" around the league.

Answer: Jimmy Carter

Arthur's father was raised Presbyterian, but as an adult became a Free Will Baptist preacher. His father was an outspoken abolitionist, which often angered some of his members and was a cause for their frequent moves when Chet was a child. They spent most of their time in Vermont.

Cleveland was born in New Jersey to Ann and Richard Cleveland. His father was a Presbyterian and Congregational preacher. In fact, Grover is named for Stephen Grover, the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the town where the future president was born while his father was pastor there.

Wilson's father was also a Presbyterian preacher. Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia and spent much of his childhood in Augusta, Georgia. His father, while pastoring in Augusta, became active in the Confederacy, even serving for a time as a chaplain in the Confederacy. While defending slavery he also set up a Sunday School for slaves.

Carter's father was a travelling salesman and grocery store owner. However Jimmy was raised in the Baptist church in Plains, Georgia, and even into his nineties was teaching a Bible class there on Sundays.

Answer: Lester B. Pearson

Pearson, and his two brothers, grew up in the church manse in the Toronto suburb of Aurora. After serving in WWI he got married and began his career in public service. Aligning himself with the Liberal Party he worked his way up through the ranks, developing a reputation as an expert in international affairs. In 1848 he was Canada's Secretary of State and in 1957 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in helping establish the concept of a United Nation's Peacekeeping Force.

In 1963 he became Canada's fourteenth Prime Minister. From 1963-1968 he was credited with improving conditions for workers, establishing a universal health care program , and beginning a college student loan program. He was honored in 1984 when the Toronto International Airport was renamed the Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

Answer: Branwell

Patrick Bronte was a widower for over forty years. His wife, Maria died at the age of thirty-eight. With the help of his sister-I in-law and a maid, the children were raised in a loving home that encouraged education and the use of their imaginations. Anne, Emily and Charlotte became famous after they all published novels in 1847. Branwell was the girls only brother who, although he did do some writing, was better known for his portrait painting.

The siblings had two other sisters who died in childhood. All six of the chidren died before they reached the age of thirty-nine. Their father stayed active in church work well into his eighties. He outlived his wife and all his children, dying at the age of eighty-four in 1861.

Answer: Ivan Pavlov

Pavlov, was the oldest son of Peter (a Russian Orthodox Priest) and Varvara Pavlov. He was the oldest of eleven children and the family plans of him entering the presthood were thwarted, when he left seminary and went to Saint Petersburg University to study science. Eventually, Pavlov became the head of the Institute of Experimental Medicine where he was recognized as an expert in involuntary reflex actions, conditonal reflex and other behavioral therapies.

Answer: W.C. Handy

Handy's father and grandfather were Methodist preachers. As a child, the future composer worked and earned money to buy a guitar; but was ordered by his father to take it back and exchange it for a dictionary. Ironically, he later encouraged the boy to take organ lessons. Secretly, Handy continued his musical pursuits.

Although an accompished musician his greatest contribution to the "Blues" genre is in publishing and promoting blues music, thus increasing its popularity worldwide.

Answer: Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh had a troubled life. His desire to enter the ministry was thwarted becuse he could not past the needed exams to complete theology school and because his compassionate but unorthodox methods (he once gave up his living quarters to a homeless man and lived in a hut) were looked down upon by his superiors.

At the urging of his brother, Theo, he began to earnestly pursue his art career. Struggling with health issues for most of his adult life the artist shot himself in 1890 at the age of 37.

The genuis of his art was not recognized until after his death.

Answer: I Kissed a Girl

Perry began her music career as a Christian artist before switching to the pop music genre. The song "I Kissed a Girl" was successful commercially but was criticized by some as promoting gay issues while some LGBTQ advocates thought the song exploited their movement.

Her parents, while not supportive of Perry's career choices, still have a relationship with her and encourage others to "pray for her and not judge her". (Quote from BHW.com August 27, 2020)

Answer: Wilbur and Orville Wright

The Wright brothers were self-taught engineers who are generally credited with inventing and successfully flying the world's first motoroized airplane. They were also successful printers and bicycle shop owners. In addition to their business ventures they helped take care of their ailing mother and supported their father in his minsitry.

Answer: Condoleezza Rice

Rice's parents stressed the importance of education and the arts providing their young daughter lessons in French, ballet and music. As a teenager she wanted to be a classical pianist, but in college developed an interest in International affairs. After a career in academia, she went into public service when President George W. Bush tabbed her to be the nation's first female National Security Advisor.

Her tough negotiating style coupled with her gentle manners and class led her to be nicknamed "The Warrior Princess" and led to her being named Secretary of State in 2005.

Answer: Lyman Beecher

The Beecher family was one of the most influential American familes of the 19th century. The patriarch, Lyman, was no stranger to controversy. His strong views against slavery and his support for new methods of evangelism (revivals etc.) often put him at odds with his fellow Calvinists.

His zeal was passed on to his children who were, in their own right, influential in transforming the American culture of the 1800s.

Answer: Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has won many awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and one Tony Award. He is open about his Christian faith. He has been quoted as saying he reads his Bible daily and has considered entering the ministry.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Tesla was born and raised in the Austrian Empire (modern day Croatia). He was a brilliant student. Reportedly he could work out calculus problems in his head, causing his teachers to wonder if he was cheating. He went to the USA in 1884 where he worked for both Edison and Westinghouse helping them both become successful in their business ventures.

In 1888 Tesla patented the motor that ran on AC. Although he did not gain the success of his better known contemporaries the inventor had about 300 patents registered.