By John D. Pierce
Many Americans are woefully — and in some cases, willingly —ignorant of this nation’s unique religious heritage. Misguided preachers, politicians and pundits often add to the false narratives that misrepresent historical accuracy and undermine the brilliance of the First Amendment guarantees of religious liberty.
To better understand these religious roots — with all their conflicts, condemnations and ultimate freedoms —we have enlisted outstanding historians to walk us (literally and figuratively) through many places and experiences that shaped our nation’s religious identity and freedoms.
Leading American historian David L. Holmes, professor emeritus of religious studies at the College of William & Mary, will give the opening address. Included in the three-day experience are personalized tours and excellent presentations, including historical monologues and times for discussion.
So we are pleased to introduce:
NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
September 19-21, 2016 (Monday-Wednesday)
Theme: AMERICA’S RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Hosts: John Pierce, Pete Parks, Bruce Gourley, Fred Anderson, Julie Steele
Sponsors (to date): Nurturing Faith, Baptist History and Heritage Society, Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
SCHEDULE
Monday, Sept. 19
- Welcome dinner and address by historian David Holmes, author of The Faiths of the Founding Fathers
Tuesday, Sept. 20
- Personalized tour of Colonial Williamsburg with an emphasis on religious history
- Lunch at Shields Tavern
- Afternoon explorations
- Dinner program featuring Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty on “Religious Liberty, Then and Now”
Wednesday, Sept. 21
- Personalized tour of Historic Jamestown by Mark Summers
- A visit with “Mary Buck” (portrayed by Rebecca Suerdieck)
- Jamestown Glasshouse
- Afternoon: Williamsburg churches and the College of William and Mary
- Historic Wren Chapel: A visit with “John Leland” (portrayed by Fred Anderson)
- Closing dinner program featuring historian Bruce Gourley
Cost: $275 includes all tours and programs, and lunch and dinner from Monday evening through Wednesday evening. To register, please send a check for $275 to Baptists Today, Inc., P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318, or call (478) 301-5655 to pay by credit card. [Online registration will be available soon on the now-under-construction new Nurturing Faith web site.]
Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging, with many options in the Williamsburg area.
Join us! It will be an enjoyable and very informative experience.
Director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and former executive editor and publisher at Good Faith Media.
