BJC Fellows

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The BJC Fellows

BJC Fellows come from diverse educational, professional and religious backgrounds to learn in an intensive education program that equips them for advocacy to protect religious liberty.

In 2025, our 10th class brought the total number of BJC Fellows to be 100 people, living in urban, rural and subruban areas across the country.

Since 2015, BJC has offered the BJC Fellows Program, providing young professionals the opportunity to deepen their historical, theological and legal understanding of religious liberty and develop skills to advocate for the cause throughout their careers. It is led by the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation.

The application period for our 2026 class will open near the end of 2025.

Hear from the 2025 class

“I was encouraged to step outside of my comfort zone and engage in advocacy work and the promotion of religious liberty for all Americans; not just the black Baptists in my local congregation, but every denomination represented in these great United States, including the non-believer.”

Corey Mitchell
2017 BJC Fellow

“I know that this is just the beginning of a journey of advocating for religious liberty in my community and with the other BJC Fellows. I am excited to begin to invest more in my local government and advocacy efforts, hoping to bring my knowledge of religious liberty to my local context.”

Ashton Wells
2016 BJC Fellow

Not only were we Baptist, we were Episcopal, Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Muslim and nonreligious. I am glad that we were a diverse crowd. There’s nothing worse than having conversations with people that are the same kind of different as you. We each brought varying perspectives that carried our dialogues and gave each of us new insights.

Brittany Graves
2019 BJC Fellow

“As we explored the history of our nation, the Baptist tradition and religious liberty in general, freedom was a constant theme. Freedom is often thought of too narrowly and individually. If we are to achieve true religious freedom, we must look beyond ourselves and lift up the most marginalized among us.”

Kat Kimmel
2021 BJC Fellow

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BJC Fellows Program?

The BJC Fellows Program is an intensive religious liberty cohort experience for young professionals. The 2025 program kicks off with the BJC Fellows Seminar — an educational program held at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, in the summer (usually around the end of July or first of August, but dates can vary). At the BJC Fellows Seminar, they will learn about religious liberty from BJC staff members and other experts. They will also engage in conversations about history as well as the latest developments in the religious liberty landscape, all while sharing from their experiences and community contexts. Applications for the 2026 class are scheduled to be released in late 2025, along with the dates of the 2026 program.

Who can apply?

The BJC Fellows Program is open to individuals between the ages of 25 and 45 with diverse educational, cultural, and professional experience. There is no religious requirement — people from any or no religious background are welcome. Applicants must commit to advocating for religious liberty in their local communities and nationally, as they see fit.

What is the time commitment?

The 2025 seminar will take place in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, from July 30 to August 3, 2025. Accepted applicants will be required to attend an online orientation session to meet the other members of the 2025 class. The dates each year are slightly different — we’ll share the dates for the 2026 BJC Fellows Seminar when we release applications for the 2026 class.

How much does it cost?

Thanks to our generous donors, there is no cost to apply, and the program will cover your travel, room and meals for the BJC Fellows Seminar at Colonial Williamsburg.

Who are the BJC Fellows?

BJC Fellows are people from various professions and disciplines including academics, engineers, faith leaders, law students, librarians, parents, professors, public school educators, seminarians, and more. You can read about our 2024 class of BJC Fellows here and watch a video featuring our 2023 class here.

What is the role of the BJC Fellows?

Many BJC Fellows serve as liaisons between BJC and their communities by using their skills for public engagement, such as leading educational sessions, writing op-eds and using social media to advance the cause of protecting faith freedom for all.