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A member of the Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis will be the keynote speaker at the annual Convocation on Religion and Race, to be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the Curry Christian Life Center on the campus of Martin Methodist College.

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis is assistant professor of Christian education at the seminary. Passionate about teaching, she draws on her marketing experience, pastoral leadership and academic training to creatively equip graduate students for transformative leadership in congregations and society.

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Gunning Francis’ research focuses on transformative education as reflected in her doctoral dissertation, “Beyond ‘Band-Aids’ and Bootstraps: Toward a Womanist Vision of Christian Education as Social Transformation.”  Her writing also reflects her commitments to the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of women, men and children; and highlights her particular interest in underserved and minority communities. 

Dr. Gunning Francis has served as an adjunct professor for the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and has provided pastoral leadership for congregations in Georgia, Illinois and Ohio.  She has also served as a guest lecturer, preacher, and workshop facilitator for a variety of institutions and congregations around the country.  She has received numerous awards to include the Candler School of Theology’s G. Ray Jordan award for excellence in integrating academic study with constructive leadership and service, and the Fund for Theological Education’s prestigious Doctoral Fellow Award.

Dr. Gunning Francis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Hampton University.  She earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

A native of Willingboro, N.J., Dr. Gunning Francis is happily married to Rev. Rodney Francis, Pastor of Washington Tabernacle Baptist Church.  They live in St. Louis with their pre-school aged sons, Evan and Desmond.