2007 Speakers

Lauren Winner

The Truth about Married Sex

Wednesday, January 3
Underwritten by: J.C. Huizenga

Author of "Girls Meets God", "Mudhouse Sabbath" and "Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity", Winner returns to TJS after a stunning presentation in 2006.

Richard Lapchick

Sports Heroes Off the Field Making this a Better World

Thursday, January 4
Underwritten by: Huntington Bank

Author, scholar, human rights activists, President & CEO of the National Consortium for Academics and Chairman of the DeVos Sports Business Management Program at the University of Florida.

N.T. (Tom) Wright

Simply Christian

Friday, January 5
Underwritten by: Meijer, Inc.

As one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars, NT Wright is well equipped to lead us through the book of Galatians and help us understand it on three different levels.

Note: this speaker will be joining us virtually

Laura Smit

Reclaiming the Value of Beauty

Monday, January 8
Underwritten by: Peter & Pat Cook

Dean of the Chapel, Professor of Religion & Theology at Calvin College and author.

Gerard Thomas Straub

Poverty and Prayer and the Power of Film

Tuesday, January 9
Underwritten by: Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, LLP

Author, filmaker and former Hollywood producer turned advocate for the poor, social justice, peace, non-violence, prayer and the integrity of creation.

S. Frederick Starr

What's Happening at the Heart of Eurasia?

Wednesday, January 10
Underwritten by: Barnes & Thornburg

S. Frederick Starr is Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University and Rector of the University of Central Asia, an international initiative for education and development in Central Asia. Starr is also the founder and director of the Louisianna Repertory Jazz Ensemble.

Gloriae Dei Cantores

The Community of Jesus

Thursday, January 11
Underwritten by: Mercantile Bank of Michigan

An internationally renowned 40-voice choir with a passionate dedication to express the most authentic and compelling interpretation of sacred choral music spanning two millennia.

Peter Okaalet

The Heart of Racial Justice

Friday, January 12
Underwritten by: Spectrum Health

Named a Global Health Hero in 2005 by Time Magazine, Dr. Okaalet is a Ugandan physician and pastor working to bridge the gap between doctors and clergy when it comes to combating the epidemic of AIDS.

Brenda Salter McNeil

The Heart of Racial Justice

Monday, January 15
Underwritten by: John & Mary Loeks

Pastor, teacher, evangelist, author, and dynamic speaker who holds degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, Rutgers University and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She believes that racial & ethnic hostility is one of the most serious problems facing the contemporary church.

Jon Meacham

American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation

Tuesday, January 16
Underwritten by: Macatawa Bank

Newly appointed Editor of Newsweek Magazine who was named "one of the most influential editors in the news magazine business" by The New York Times. This best selling author returns to TJS after a brilliant presentation in 2005.

Jeff Shaara

The Rising Tide: A Storyteller's View of The Second World War

Wednesday, January 17
Underwritten by: GMB Architects + Engineers

Best selling author of novels on the American wars from the Revolutionary War to his latest on World War II, scheduled to be released in October 2006.

Miroslav Volf

Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace

Thursday, January 18
Underwritten by: Lawrence D. Sr. and Dolores Bos

Author of dozens of scholarly articles and ten books including his most recent, "Free of Charge" which is being called the best book on forgiveness for the general audience. He is one of the most respected living theologians, the Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School.

Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble

Concert with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble

Friday, January 19
Underwritten by: The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation

The LRJE is a nine-member group of New Orleans-based musicians who have been performing classic New Orleans jazz in absolutely authentic formats with period instruments since 1979. Members of the ensemble can trace their musical or family/musical genealogy to the earliest days of jazz. Veterans of years on Bourbon Street, Mississippi steamboats, and in local brass bands, the LRJE players are drawn form all the racial and ethnic groups that make up the New Orleans "melting pot".

Christopher Buckley

An Afternoon with Christopher Buckley

Monday, January 22
Underwritten by: Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Humorist, author, political and social satirist and former speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, this founding editor of Forbes FYI will bring his unique insights and perceptions to TJS.

June Hamersma

My Story: Twenty Years of the January Series

Tuesday, January 23

Creator and Director of The January Series of Calvin College for 20 years and founding Chair of the Hospice of Michigan Foundation will make her debut as a presenter and share her vision for The January Series past, present and future.

On it's 20th year, watch a tribute to June's 20 years as the director of the January Series.