Yale theologian Willie James Jennings presents a public lecture marking the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Honorary Doctorate (1965–2025) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Finding Hope in Turbulent Times: Learning from the Spirituality of Martin Luther King Jr.
Talk of hope today is pervasive, filled with the energy and promise of change. Yet, in a world of mounting crises, where solutions feel out of reach, and setbacks seem to outpace progress, hope can feel fragile - slipping away just when we need it most. How do we hold on to hope when reality seems to push against it?
On 3 June, in this special edition of the Martin Luther King lecture, Yale theologian Willie Jennings will explore hope, not just as an aspiration or a feeling, but as a discipline and as work to be done. Hope requires courage, cultivation and deep wells of spirituality to keep from fading in the face of exhaustion and despair.
Hope, for leaders, is not just something personal; it is also something they must carry for others. Jennings will reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., for whom hope was never a given. It was an ongoing struggle, renewed daily in the face of injustice and disappointment. His spirituality–as a Baptist minister–did not erase doubt or difficulty, but it gave him the resilience to wrestle with the powers, again and again.
Come and be part of this event, to be encouraged in hope. Admission is free, please register here.
About the speakers
Prof. Willie James Jennings
Willie Jennings is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Systematic Theology and Africana Studies at Yale Divinity School. He specialises in the areas of Christian thought, race theory, liberation theology and decolonial and environmental studies. He is the author of two books that received worldwide attention and praise, The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race, and After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging. Jennings is an ordained Baptist minister and has served as interim pastor for several North Carolina churches. A Calvin College graduate, Jennings received his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and his PhD in religion and ethics from Duke University.
Prof. Azza Karam
Azza Karam is the President and CEO of Lead Integrity, a global network of women of faith professionals in governance, sustainability, and leadership. An Egyptian professor and author, she has been a leading voice in integrating religion and sustainable development at the UN. She has held the Religion and Sustainable Development Chair at VU Amsterdam and serves on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism.
Amisah Bakuri (PhD)
Amisah Bakuri is a Research Associate at the School of Theology and Religion at Vrije Universiteit. As an anthropologist, she engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of religion, culture, identity, and sexuality. Her current work examines the historical legacies of missionary Christianity, colonialism, and slavery, exploring their impact on the religious identities of descendants of enslaved and colonized communities in the Netherlands.
Prof. Dion Forster (host of the evening)
Dion Forster is professor of Public Theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research focuses on the intersection of faith and public life, particularly in areas such as social justice, human rights, and the politics of forgiveness. An ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Forster has also served as the Director of the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
About the Lecture
Martin Luther King's non-violent commitment to equality continues to be a source of inspiration today. Through his speeches and actions, he continues to inspire many to build bridges and overcome resistance. Annually, the VU’s Martin Luther King Lecture commemorates his work and serves as a source of inspiration.
This extra lecture marks the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s honorary doctorate from VU (1965), with a focus on the university’s annual theme of ‘hope.’ The event is organized by the newly founded VU School of Religion and Theology, in collaboration with the Believers Church Conference (1-4 June), an academic gathering of Baptists and Mennonites - two traditions closely linked to King’s legacy. The regular VU MLK Lecture will take place in October.
Programme
The programme will begin with a brief welcome by VU Rector Magnificus Prof. Jeroen Geurts and host Dion Forster. This will be followed by the lecture from Willie Jennings, with responses from two respondents, Azza Karam and Amisah Bakuri. The evening will conclude with a conversation on the theme. Throughout the event, the gospel choir G-Roots will provide musical accompaniment.
Practical information
- Date & time: Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 19:30 - 21:30
- Location: Aula
- Admission is free, please register here.