• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University Baylor University
Department of Religion
College of Arts & Sciences
  • Welcome
    • Calendar of Events
    • Contact Information
    • Currents Podcasts
    • Diversity
    • News
    • Pro Futuris
    • Tidwell Bible Building
      • Renovation Story
      • Reverend Robert L. Gilbert
  • Our Faculty
    • Books by Our Faculty
    • Open Faculty Positions
    • Retired Faculty
      • Books by Our Retired Faculty
  • Undergraduate
    • What Can I Do With a Religion Major?
    • The Religion Major / Minor
    • REL 1310 and 1350 for Religion Majors
    • Outstanding Student Awards
    • Study Abroad Opportunities
    • Exam Schedule
  • Graduate
    • Prospective Students
      • About Us
      • The Program and the Curriculum
      • Admissions Process
      • Baylor Benefits
      • Graduate Theological Fellowship
    • Current Students
      • Registration
      • Graduate Resources
      • Travel Funds
      • Advanced Standing Qualification
      • Dissertation
  • Ministry Guidance
    • Religion Courses of Particular Interest to Ministry Students
    • Program Elements
    • Ministry Placement
      • Preparing a Resume
      • Preparing a Cover Letter
      • Christian Camps
      • Mission Connections
    • Scholarships
      • Baylor Ministry Scholarship
      • BGCT Ministry Scholarship
      • Hubler Endowed Scholarship
      • Vocational Ministry FAQ
    • Seminary Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
    • Events Sponsored by Ministry Guidance
      • Coffee Hour/ Lunch and Learn
      • Ministry Guidance Conference
      • Seminary Day
  • Featured Giving
    • Basden Family Ministry Guidance Endowed Scholarship
    • Graduate Student Research/Travel Fund
    • James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
  • Affiliated Programs
    • Baptist Studies Center for Research
      • Contact Us
      • Our Purpose
      • Scholarly Network in Baptist Studies
      • Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR)
      • Resources
      • The James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
    • J.M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies
    • Perspectives in Religious Studies
      • Contact Information
      • PRSt Index
      • Submit a Manuscript
      • Subscribe to NABPR
  • Lectures
    • Lectures Sponsored by the Department
    • BSIR Lectures
    • Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Apply Now
  • Make a Gift
Baylor BU Department of Religion Lectures Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Lectures Sponsored by the Department
  • BSIR Lectures
  • Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series

Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series

About

Whittens

The Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series was established in 2018 by the Rev. Dr. Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten of Springfield, Virginia to provide a lecture series focused on Expression of Christian Faith intersecting the Public Square. The Whittens are graduates of Baylor (Dr. Whitten, ‘55 and Barbara, ‘56). Dr. Whitten earned his Ph.D. under Henlee Barnette at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1964) after which he became the pastor at Westwood Baptist Church (affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) for 35 years. Dr. Whitten also worked as a Behavioral Therapist and Senior Therapist at the Pastoral Counseling of Northern Virginia until he retired in 2016. Barbara is a retired social worker in the public school system. The Whittens are pleased about the opportunity to further expand the discussion of Christian Faith.


2025 -- Awet Andemicael

Awet Andemicael

Awet Andemicael is Associate Dean for Marquand Chapel and Lecturer in Theology at the Yale Institute for Sacred Music and Yale Divinity School. Her theological research focuses on constructive engagement with early Christian thought, especially that of Irenaeus of Lyon, and the field of music and theology. As an award-winning concert soprano, she has sung across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Her lecture is titled, "Instrument of God".


William Barber

2024 -- Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II

Bishop William J. Barber II, D.Min., is a Professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and Founding Director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. He serves as President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, and has been Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Goldsboro, NC, for the past 29 years.


Dr. Bill Leonard

2023 -- Dr. Bill Leonard

The Department of Religion is proud to host Dr. Bill Leonard as the speaker for the 2023 Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series. Dr. Leonard will speak on "Fundamentalizing Faith, Co-Opting Culture: Confronting Evangelical Enigmas." He is founding Dean and Professor Emeritus of Wake Forest Divinity School (1999-2018).

Learn more about Dr. Bill Leonard.


Inaugural Lecture - March 29, 2022

Inaugural Whitten Lecture

The Department of Religion proudly to host Rev. Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert as the speaker at the inaugural Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series. Rev. Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert will speak on "Proclaiming the (Kin)dom: The End of Methodological Imperialism and the Emergence of the Preacher-Sage." He is a professor of homiletics at Howard University School of Divinity. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. in practical theology (homiletics) from Princeton Theological Seminary, has authored four books, and founded The Preaching Project in 2011. Rev. Dr. Gilbert is a nationally recognized expert on African American preaching. 

Learn More about Rev. Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert.

Dr. Gilbert's lecture video

Department of Religion

College of Arts & Sciences

Tidwell Bible Building
575 James Avenue
Waco, TX 76706

One Bear Place #97284
Waco, TX 76798-7284

Religion_Department@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3735
Baylor BU Department of Religion Lectures Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Welcome
    Back
    • Calendar of Events
    • Contact Information
    • Currents Podcasts
    • Diversity
    • News
    • Pro Futuris
    • Tidwell Bible Building
      Back
      • Renovation Story
      • Reverend Robert L. Gilbert
  • Our Faculty
    Back
    • Books by Our Faculty
    • Open Faculty Positions
    • Retired Faculty
      Back
      • Books by Our Retired Faculty
  • Undergraduate
    Back
    • What Can I Do With a Religion Major?
    • The Religion Major / Minor
    • REL 1310 and 1350 for Religion Majors
    • Outstanding Student Awards
    • Study Abroad Opportunities
    • Exam Schedule
  • Graduate
    Back
    • Prospective Students
      Back
      • About Us
        Back
        • Faculty Profiles and Area Descriptions
          Back
          • Old Testament Faculty
          • New Testament Faculty
          • Historical Studies Faculty
          • Theological/Bioethical Studies Faculty
        • Religion Department Facebook Page
        • Graduation and Placement
        • Life at Baylor/Waco
      • The Program and the Curriculum
        Back
        • Description of PhD Program
        • Description of MA Program
        • List of all Graduate Courses Offered by the Religion Department
        • Schedule of Classes
      • Admissions Process
        Back
        • Financial Aid & Summer Stipends
        • Tips for Applying
        • Application link
        • Graduate School's Website
        • Graduate School's catalog website
      • Baylor Benefits
        Back
        • Travel Awards
        • Summer stipend
        • Insurance benefit
        • Parental Leave
        • Research resources
      • Graduate Theological Fellowship
    • Current Students
      Back
      • Registration
        Back
        • Registration for current students
        • Registration for new students
        • Link to the Graduate School's catalog website
      • Graduate Resources
        Back
        • Current Graduate Program Guide
        • Graduate Research Center
        • Graduate Theological Fellowship
        • Link to the Graduate School's Academic Calendar
        • Link to the Graduate School's Catalog website
        • Link to the Graduate School's Website
        • Parental Leave
        • Religion Department Facebook Page
        • Student Publications
      • Travel Funds
      • Advanced Standing Qualification
      • Dissertation
  • Ministry Guidance
    Back
    • Religion Courses of Particular Interest to Ministry Students
    • Program Elements
    • Ministry Placement
      Back
      • Preparing a Resume
      • Preparing a Cover Letter
      • Christian Camps
      • Mission Connections
    • Scholarships
      Back
      • Baylor Ministry Scholarship
      • BGCT Ministry Scholarship
      • Hubler Endowed Scholarship
      • Vocational Ministry FAQ
    • Seminary Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
    • Events Sponsored by Ministry Guidance
      Back
      • Coffee Hour/ Lunch and Learn
      • Ministry Guidance Conference
      • Seminary Day
  • Featured Giving
    Back
    • Basden Family Ministry Guidance Endowed Scholarship
    • Graduate Student Research/Travel Fund
    • James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
  • Affiliated Programs
    Back
    • Baptist Studies Center for Research
      Back
      • Contact Us
      • Our Purpose
      • Scholarly Network in Baptist Studies
        Back
        • Faculty Profiles
        • Publications
      • Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR)
        Back
        • BSIR In Review Newsletter
          Back
          • BSIR in Review Past Newsletters
        • BSIR Leadership
        • BSIR Scholars
        • BSIR Distinguished Fellow
        • BSIR Lectures
        • BSIR Membership
        • Past BSIR Roundtables and Scholars
          Back
          • 2019 Roundtable
          • 2019 Scholars
          • 2020-2021 Roundtable
          • 2020-2021 Scholars
          • 2022 Roundtable
          • 2022 Scholars
          • 2023 Roundtable
          • 2023 Scholars
          • 2024 Scholars
      • Resources
        Back
        • Baptist Historical Archives or Collections
        • Baptist Historical Journals
        • Baptist History and Heritage Websites
        • Baptist Publishing Houses
        • Baptist Colleges and Universities
        • Baptist Seminaries and Divinity Schools
        • Baptist Denominations in America
        • Newspapers and Press Services
      • The James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
    • J.M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies
    • Perspectives in Religious Studies
      Back
      • Contact Information
        Back
        • Current Editorial Board Members
        • Editorial Officers
      • PRSt Index
      • Submit a Manuscript
      • Subscribe to NABPR
  • Lectures
    Back
    • Lectures Sponsored by the Department
    • BSIR Lectures
    • Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Apply Now
  • Make a Gift
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678