Dr. Jennings is a systematic theologian and teaches in the areas of theology, black church and Africana studies, as well as post-colonial and race theory. The author of numerous articles, Dr. Jennings's recent work The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race published by Yale University Press, won the 2011 American Academy of Religion award for best book and is now becoming a standard text read in colleges, seminaries, and universities.  Dr. Jennings is also the recipient of the 2015 Grawemeyer Award in Religion for his groundbreaking work on race and Christianity.

Dr. Willie James Jennings is currently Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University Divinity School. In addition to being a frequent lecturer at colleges, universities, and seminaries, Dr. Jennings is also a consultant for the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, and for the Association of Theological Schools. Recently, Dr. Jennings completed a commentary on the Book of Acts which will be published by Westminster/John Knox later this year.

Dr. Jennings was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Jennings received his B.A. in Religion and Theological Studies from Calvin College (1984), his M.Div. (Master of Divinity degree) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena California, and his Ph.D. degree from Duke University.

The Lefler Lecture at Gustavus was established in 1993 by Mary Jane Lefler in memory of her husband, Herbert P. Lefler.  The Lefler Lectures carry on the Lefler family tradition of inquiry and learning by funding scholars to regularly visit campus to enhance the learning of students and the greater community.