The Williams Institute welcomes Ralph Basui Watkins for two lectures

Ralph Basui Watkins, the Peachtree Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, will deliver two lectures on ministry in the visual age at the Williams Institute, presented by Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Watkins’ first lecture, “Imagining a Ministry: The Power of the Image in Envisioning a Future,” will take place at 7 p.m. Eastern March 25. The second lecture, “Seeing the Future of the Church: Use What’s in Your Hand,” begins at 10 a.m. Eastern March 26. Both lectures are in the Alford Centrum on the campus of MTSO, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio. They are open to all. No registration is required.

Watkins also will preach at MTSO’s weekly chapel at 1 p.m. Eastern March 25 in the Alford Centrum. Inspired by Exodus 4:1-5, the sermon title is “What Is in Your Hand?” All are welcome.

The lectures will be accompanied by Portraits of Faith, an exhibition of 20 images produced by Watkins, who is known as “the scholar with a camera.” Based on the six colors of the rainbow flag, the portraits depict people of faith, LGTBQ+ people of faith and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The colors will be used as a backdrop to highlight their meaning: red=life, orange=healing, yellow=sunlight, green=nature, blue=serenity and violet=spirit.

Watkins holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design and an MA in Religion from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

He is the author of six books, including Hip-Hop Redemption: Finding God in the Rhythm and the Rhyme, and was executive producer and host of the television show Religion Roundtable with Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins on the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting Network. Among the documentaries Watkins has produced is Seeing the Future of the African Church in the Rainbow: A Year in the Life of Real Inspiration Ministries.

“Dr. Watkins’ creativity and deep thinking as a theologian really excites people, both in the classroom and the community of scholars,” said MTSO Dean Valerie Bridgeman. “He demonstrates what it means to journey in your faith.”

MTSO’s Williams Institute was begun in 1981 to honor the late Dr. Ronald L. Williams, professor of theology from 1971 until his death in 1981. The institute has featured speakers from many backgrounds, including theologians, ethicists, poets, biblical scholars, historians, pastoral psychologists and Christian educators.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in public theology, social justice and theological studies, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

CONTACT:

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322