Expanding understandings of religious freedom

The Center was born out of the heritage of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR), which opened its doors in 1991. BTSR’s partnerships as a member of the multi-racial and ecumenical Richmond Theological Consortium were a vital part of its mission and identity. Other members of the Consortium include the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (a historically Black seminary founded by American Baptists), as well as Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education (which later merged to form Union Presbyterian Seminary).

In 2018, BTSR’s board realized being a freestanding institution was no longer viable, due to shifts in the church and in theological education. Out of merger talks with several theological institutions, the vision of establishing a Center for Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation emerged. The Center was incorporated in October 2019, with Dr. Corey D.B. Walker in the unpaid role of president.

In January 2022, the Center hired Dr. Sabrina Dent as the first full-time president. In 2023, the Center joined with BJC and became the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation, bringing its educational programs to advance justice and build cultures for reconciliation into partnership with BJC’s mission to extend and defend religious freedom for all.