An Exploration in to Western Christendom to be Discussed at Freed Lecture Series

Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart will present “Who Will Be a Witness?” in the University of Findlay’s upcoming DeBow and Catherine Freed Contemporary Christian Lecture Series.

The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ritz Auditorium, Old Main. The Freed Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

In this talk, Dr. Drew G. I. Hart will explore the domesticated and distorted witness western Christendom has produced, with particular concern with its colonial child, white supremacy. However, this lecture won’t stay at the level of critical analysis of the problem and instead will gesture us forward into a Jesus-shaped, prophetic, and grassroots witness that is committed to justice for the most vulnerable while participating in God’s delivering presence. Hart draws on his experience as a pastor, professor, antiracism leader, and his local community organizing work, coupled with his extensive understanding of social change theory and theological ethics.

Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart is an associate professor of theology at Messiah University and has 10 years of pastoral experience. Hart directs Messiah University’s Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice program and co-hosts Inverse Podcast along with Australian Peace Activist, Jarrod McKenna. Hart is the author of “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” (2016) and “Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance” (2020). He is an international speaker and was the recipient of bcmPEACE’s 2017 Peacemaker Award, the 2019 W.E.B. Du Bois Award in Harrisburg, PA, and was Elizabethtown College’s 2019 Peace Fellow.

The Dr. and Mrs. DeBow Freed Contemporary Christian Lecture Series was endowed in 2010 by Dr. and Mrs. DeBow Freed. Visiting speakers are guided by the ideals epitomized by the Freeds, which include a Christian-centered ethos, respect for multiple faith traditions in an increasingly pluralistic world; civility of expression; excellence and rigor of thought; humility, compassion, and service. Lectures series speakers address possible Christian responses to existing and emerging contemporary issues in a diverse world.