Saturday, March 20, 2027
9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Join us at Bethlehem Lutheran in Brainerd for this special Lay Leader Network event that explores the historical beginnings and buildup of Christian nationalism as a social movement and how it fits into the broader scope of counter-enlightenment and humanist movements in the US today. We welcome author and speaker John Fanestil along with local pastor and faculty teacher within the Lay Leader Network, Mark Skinner, to lead this day-long event. We begin with prayer and end with worship, seeking ways to talk to our neighbors about these intersections of ideology, ethics, politics and religion.

John is the author of American Heresy: The Roots and Reach of White Christian Nationalism published by Fortress Press in 2023. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, former executive director of Via International, a non-profit serving border communities in San Diego and Tijuana.  John received his PhD in American History from the University of Southern California and studied as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford.  Rev. Dr. Mark Skinner is senior pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Seminary and leads educational offerings through the NE Minnesota Synod Lay Leader Network. He is also a US Army Veteran who served in the Persian Gulf and Somalia.

Share this link with friends for this important topic of study for Christian Lay Leaders and the faithful. Registration cost is $20 per participant, which includes lunch and snacks throughout the day.

Other Opportunities

LLN encourages members to attend the Luther Seminary Faith+Lead Academy (formerly KAIROS classes)

Networking Opportunities

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Lay Leader Network Co-Coordinators

• • Monica Bruning: General Info
  • Anne Laechel: Registrations