SWU President Dr. Bill Barker Leads Prayer for Nation’s Christian Colleges at Historic DC Gathering
Southern Wesleyan University President Dr. Bill Barker led a prayer for America’s Christian colleges and universities at the February 5th National Gathering of Prayer and Repentance in Washington, DC. Held at the Museum of the Bible, the historic event brought together congressional leaders, international diplomats, and Christian leaders under the direction of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, and World Prayer Network founder and Wesleyan pastor Dr. Jim Garlow.
“Lord, have mercy on us as Christian colleges and universities,” Barker prayed, “and help us return to a Christ-centered, biblically faithful vision of the truth of God, the love of God, and the wisdom of God, for the sake of our students.”
The event’s venue held special meaning for Barker, a biblical scholar whose Ph.D. from Cambridge University is in Middle Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Barker praised the Museum of the Bible’s academic rigor and educational mission. “They’ve done a really great work with textual work and textual criticism, maintaining and preserving manuscripts,” he noted. “Anytime you’re talking about the inspiration and validity of the scriptures and how it’s impacted multiple societies throughout time and history, that’s a great context for prayer.”
The gathering’s unique emphasis on repentance came at Speaker Johnson’s specific request, reflecting his conviction that the desire for national renewal must start with confession of sin. Johnson, who was joined at the event by approximately thirty House members and two senators, hosts twice-weekly prayer meetings in the Speaker’s conference room, and Barker expressed admiration for his witness. “I was really struck by the depth of his personal conviction and faith in Christ,” he said. “The depth of theology and biblical awareness, and how that’s integrated into his life as a public official—I found it encouraging and admirable.”
In considering how to pray for the nation’s Christian colleges, Barker drew inspiration from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Jesus’s quotation of that verse in Matthew 22, which commands believers to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength. “Part of our role,” Barker said of Southern Wesleyan’s educational mission, “is to help Christians engage their mind, to faithfully love God with our minds as a vehicle to also help us love God with all of our hearts.”
The experience reinforced Barker’s vision for Southern Wesleyan’s future. “I want to improve the academic mission here, to really engage the students wherever they are and help them think about what it means to be a Christian in medicine, in criminal justice, in music, in education, whatever their vocation,” he said.
Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council (left) and Dr. Bill Barker, President of Southern Wesleyan University (right)
This vision of integrating faith and learning resonates with the gathering’s broader message that spiritual renewal in America must include the mind as well as the heart and public engagement as well as personal conviction. For Barker and Southern Wesleyan, that commitment means continuing to cultivate what he calls “this vibrant Christian vision, where we’re talking about the right, the true, the good and the beautiful of God and His Kingdom.”
About Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused, faith-filled community that offers inventive learning experiences. The university endeavors to prepare its students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to www.swu.edu.
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