Histories of Christianity in our City before 1880
Friday, August 25, 2023
Zion Baptist Church
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The unheard and unknown perspectives of the past is foundational to remember rightly the Histories of Christianity in our City.
This inaugural event will be a unique opportunity to listen to diverse perspectives on the past, and learn the Histories of Christianity in our City before 1880. A panel of local archivist and historians along with resident local historian. Jeff Johnson, will provide a memorable response to the question, “What was the first church in our city?”
Three dynamic communicators are speaking on how we hold our perspectives of the past. Mark Charles, speaking on “Unsettling Truths”, Brandon Washington on “Remembering Rightly Our Past”, and Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler on “Living With What We Learned”.
Histories of Christianity in our City before 1880 is hosted by two women with generations of Colorado family history, MiDian Holmes and Jill Gilley. The inaugural event is hosted at Zion Baptist Church, a historic landmark with a rich legacy of Christianity in our city.
Histories of Christianity in our City before 1880
Coffee & Pastries
Served outside of Zion Baptist Church from 8:00-8:30am
An Invitation to Transformation: Welcome to the Histories Project
MiDian Holmes, The Epitome of Black Excellence & Partnership
Jill Gilley, Mile High Ministries
Welcome to Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Frank Davis, Zion Baptist Church
Remembering Righty Our Past
Brandon Washington, Embassy Christian Bible Church
Unsettling Truths
Mark Charles, author & public speaker
Break
Panel: “What was the first church in our city?”
Jeff Johnson, MileHigh Ministries
Hattie Reeves, Zion Baptist Church
Shaun Boyd, Trinity United Methodist & Colorado History Museum
Living With What We Learned
Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler, The Equity Project & Shorter A.M.E.
SPEAKERS
Mark Charles
Mark Charles is a dynamic and thought-provoking public speaker, writer, and consultant. The son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man, he teaches with insight into the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and faith in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation. He is one of the leading authorities on the 15th-century’s Doctrine of Discovery and its influence on US history and its intersection with modern-day society. He pastored in Denver for two years. Mark co-authored, along with Soong-Chan Rah, the book entitled “Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery”.
Brandon Washington
Brandon Washington is the Lead Pastor at Embassy Christian Bible Church. He grew up in Dallas, Texas. He has degrees in both Systematic Theology and Apologetics & Ethics from Denver Seminary. Brandon serves on the Board of Trustees for for Denver Seminary, and the author of, “A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining Its History, Mission, and Message.” He and his wife, Cheri, and are the parents of Reese and Ellis.
Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler
Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler specializes in the development and delivery of equity, leadership, diversity, cultural responsiveness, and inclusiveness training programs and strategies. Dr. Mosby Tyler is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer for Children’s Hospital Colorado—the first Black woman to hold that position in the organization’s 100+ year history. She is also the former Executive Director of the Office of Human Resources for the City and County of Denver—the first Black woman to hold that position in the 63+ year history of the agency.
MiDian Holmes
MiDian Holmes grew up in Denver, Colorado, and has a rich history in our city. She is the product of a multi-generational presence of Black family and Black community. MiDian’s faith story was formative at Berean Bible Church in Denver. MiDian is a mother, mentor, founder of the Epitome of Black Excellence & Partnership, and the owner of 8PM Consulting for Humanity.
Jill Gilley
Jill Gilley grew up in Littleton, Colorado as a fifth-generation resident of the Denver area. Jill’s faith story was formed at Columbine Catholic Church (now St. Frances Cabrini) and through Young Life during her youth. Jill is married with three children and works with Mile High Ministries on strategic partnerships. She has experience in government, business and non-profit sectors.