2023 BJC Fellows
Ten young professionals descended on Colonial Williamsburg in 2023, beginning their journeys as BJC Fellows. They heard from BJC staff and other experts about the various underpinnings of religious liberty and discussed whose stories have been excluded from common narratives.
Meet the Class
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Natalie Copeland: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Rachel Baltimore: Lorton, Virginia
Maggie Clark: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Abigail Villagrana: Waco, Texas
Minister Bobbie Newell Jr: Richmond, Virginia
Dr. Mehmet Saracoglu: Fairfax, Virginia
Amethyst Holmes: Washington D.C.
Rev. Kari Baumann: Greensboro, North Carolina
Rev. Hannah Phillips Mollenkamp: Evanston, Illinois
Rev. Don Abram: Chicago, Illinois
“I had the opportunity to spend five days in Colonial Williamsburg with nine other BJC Fellows of varying races and backgrounds, some in ministry, some in nonprofit work, some Christian, one Muslim, some straight, and some LGBTQ. While we came from different backgrounds, we were all focused for five days on one topic: religious liberty in America.”
– Rev. Kari Baumann
“A society that respects religious freedom is a society that values diversity, encourages dialogue, and promotes understanding between individuals of different faiths and perspectives.”
– Minister Bobbie Newell Jr.
“The founding fathers, inspired by the Enlightenment philosophies of individual rights and freedoms, recognized the inherent dangers of intertwining religion and governance. … This intellectual underpinning not only informed the framing of the Constitution but also found its expression in the First Amendment — a testament to their resolute commitment to safeguarding the diverse tapestry of beliefs that would come to define the American experience.”
– Rev. Don Abram
“I think that we need to approach faith freedom for all from a ‘one for all and all for one’ point of view. With this understanding, I believe that we can collectively inform, partner and advocate for religious freedom on behalf of all who are challenged and mistreated because of their sincerely held religious beliefs and backgrounds.”
-Dr. Mehmet Saracoglu
“I have an utter responsibility to care for my neighbors above myself, even when it seems as though the victor has already won. I have a burdensome duty to fight for those that are being silenced, disenfranchised, and marginalized. I am a global missionary, having had the opportunity to spread the good news on two continents — being an advocate for all is what I was born to do. Being a BJC Fellow has afforded me to be a greater equipped ambassador for religious freedom for those here and around the globe.”
-Rachel Baltimore
“Throughout the Seminar, I had the privilege of delving into the heart of our nation’s history, engaging with remarkable interpreters, and uncovering hidden stories that challenged the conventional narrative. The realization that our history often omits significant figures like George Wythe and the Rev. Gowan Pamphlet due to their incongruence with the Christian nationalism narratives was eye-opening. It became evident that our nation’s true values of religious freedom for all had been overshadowed by a skewed perception perpetuated by those with vested interests.”
-Maggie Clark
“I had the opportunity to spend five days in Colonial Williamsburg with nine other BJC Fellows of varying races and backgrounds, some in ministry, some in nonprofit work, some Christian, one Muslim, some straight, and some LGBTQ. While we came from different backgrounds, we were all focused for five days on one topic: religious liberty in America.”
– Rev. Kari Baumann
“A society that respects religious freedom is a society that values diversity, encourages dialogue, and promotes understanding between individuals of different faiths and perspectives.”
– Minister Bobbie Newell Jr.
“The founding fathers, inspired by the Enlightenment philosophies of individual rights and freedoms, recognized the inherent dangers of intertwining religion and governance. … This intellectual underpinning not only informed the framing of the Constitution but also found its expression in the First Amendment — a testament to their resolute commitment to safeguarding the diverse tapestry of beliefs that would come to define the American experience.”
– Rev. Don Abram
“I think that we need to approach faith freedom for all from a ‘one for all and all for one’ point of view. With this understanding, I believe that we can collectively inform, partner and advocate for religious freedom on behalf of all who are challenged and mistreated because of their sincerely held religious beliefs and backgrounds.”
-Dr. Mehmet Saracoglu
“I have an utter responsibility to care for my neighbors above myself, even when it seems as though the victor has already won. I have a burdensome duty to fight for those that are being silenced, disenfranchised, and marginalized. I am a global missionary, having had the opportunity to spread the good news on two continents — being an advocate for all is what I was born to do. Being a BJC Fellow has afforded me to be a greater equipped ambassador for religious freedom for those here and around the globe.”
-Rachel Baltimore
“Throughout the Seminar, I had the privilege of delving into the heart of our nation’s history, engaging with remarkable interpreters, and uncovering hidden stories that challenged the conventional narrative. The realization that our history often omits significant figures like George Wythe and the Rev. Gowan Pamphlet due to their incongruence with the Christian nationalism narratives was eye-opening. It became evident that our nation’s true values of religious freedom for all had been overshadowed by a skewed perception perpetuated by those with vested interests.”
-Maggie Clark
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