Popular Searches
« All Events
More on the Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings
Jennings was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. He received a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Theological Studies from Calvin College in 1984, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., and a doctoral degree from Duke University. Jennings who is a systematic theologian teaches in the areas of theology, black church and Africana studies, as well as post-colonial and race theory.
Jennings is the recipient of the 2015 Grawemeyer Award in Religion for his groundbreaking work on race and Christianity. Also, his recently authored commentary on the Book of Acts has won the Reference Book of the Year Award from The Academy of Parish Clergy and now Jennings is hard at work on a book about the doctrine of creation, tentatively entitled, Reframing the World.
In addition to being a frequent lecturer at colleges, universities and seminaries, Jennings is also a regular workshop leader at pastor conferences. Additionally, he is a consultant for the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, and for the Association of Theological Schools.
Jennings served along with his wife, Rev. Joanne L. Browne Jennings, as associate minister at the Mount Level Baptist Church in Durham, NC, and for many years they served together as interim pastors for several Presbyterian and Baptist churches throughout the state. They are the parents of two wonderful daughters, Njeri and Safiya Jennings.
