Emergent Church Leaders Tour the Country in an RV with a Rollicking 21st Century Roadshow Revival of that Old Time Religion

Date:	Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:00 PM
Location:	Kay Spiritual Life Center at American University 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC

WASHINGON, DC - Wesley Theological Seminary announces "The Church Basement Roadshow: A Rollin' Gospel Revival" national summer tour, featuring three of the most outspoken emergent church leaders and authors traveling around the country in a biodiesel-fueled RV to preach a message of hope. Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt and Mark Scandrette will hit thirty-two cities across the U.S. with a message that combines old time revival flair with a 21st century gospel. They'll preach, sing and sell healing balm in church basements from San Diego to New York, arriving at Kay Spiritual Life Center on the campus of American University in Washington, DC on July 31 at 7:00 p.m.
Jones, author of The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier; Pagitt, author of A Christianity Worth Believing; and Scandrette, author of Soul Graffiti: Making a Life in the Way of Jesus, are part of the emergent movement, a decade-old phenomenon of pastors, missionaries, artists, theologians, authors and "regular people" who are rethinking church and Christianity for a globalized world. Wesley Seminary, located in Washington, DC, is the academic sponsor of the tour and offers an Emerging Church track for Master of Divinity and Master of Arts students who are interested in the movement.

"This summer will be a defining time," says Pagitt, "As we take our invitation of hope and good news to people around the country. We're preaching a fresh way of life and faith - one that is in rhythm with the life of God."

Taking a page out of the Billy Sunday playbook, the authors will spread the emergent message of a generous, hope-filled Christian faith in the style and cadence of the tent revival preachers of a hundred years ago. They plan to have fun with it, wearing frock suits and selling "healing balm," but the goal is, as in the revivals of yore, to preach the good news.

"This will be unlike any book tour people have seen," said Jones. "We'll be barnstorming the country, shaking the rafters with our ancient-future message of hope."

"People will laugh and sing," Scandrette added, "But they'll also be challenged to join the Jesus Revolution."

All are welcome to join the revival on July 31 at the Kay Spiritual Life Center. Admission is $10 at the door. Visit the Church Basement Roadshow Website for further details including tour dates.  

About the Authors/Performers

Tony Jones is the national coordinator of Emergent Village, and a doctoral fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, including The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, and he is a sought after speaker and consultant in the areas of emerging church, postmodernism, and Christian spirituality. Tony lives with his wife, Julie, and their three children in Edina, Minnesota.

Doug Pagitt is the founder of the network that became Emergent Village, and he is the founder and pastor of Solomon's Porch, regularly recognized as one of the most innovative churches in the world. Doug speaks across the country and internationally about missional Christianity and church leadership, and he has appeared on ABC, CNN, PBS, NPR, and in the New York Times. He has written, co-written, and co-edited many books, including Church ReImagined and Body Prayer. His forthcoming book from Jossey-Bass is titled, A Christianity Worth Believing: Hope-filled, Open-armed, Alive-and-well Faith for the Left Out, Left Behind, and Let Down in Us All. Doug lives in Minnesota with his wife, Shelley, and their four children.

Mark Scandrette is the executive director and cofounder of ReIMAGINE, a center for spiritual formation in San Francisco that sponsors city-based learning initiatives, peer learning groups, and the Jesus Dojo, a year-long intensive formation process inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus. Mark is a founding member of SEVEN, a monastic community working as advocates for holistic and integrative Christian spirituality. He is a recognized speaker and poet, and his innovative thoughts on Christian spiritual formation have gained him much acclaim. He also serves on the coordinating group of Emergent Village.  Mark, his wife, Lisa, and their three children live in the Mission District of San Francisco. In 2007, Jossey-Bass published his first book, Soul Graffiti: Making a Life in the Way of Jesus.

About JOPA Productions
Founded in 2008, JoPa Productions produces innovative events that connect authors and readers. More information will soon be available at http://www.jopaproductions.com.

About Wesley Theological Seminary

Located physically in the nation's capital and theologically in the deep center of the Christian church, Wesley Theological Seminary is one of the largest of the thirteen United Methodist seminaries. Wesley prepares more than 560 students from more than 25 denominations to become exemplary teachers, preachers, and leaders through Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Master of Theological Studies programs. In addition to intercultural immersion opportunities and spiritual formation groups, the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts curriculums have options for specialization in Urban Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Emerging Ministries. Wesley also offers Doctor of Ministry programs as well as specialized programs and courses engaging faith and public policy and the arts and theology.
To learn more about Wesley Theological Seminary and the Roadshow's Washington, DC revival, contact the Office of Admissions at (202) 885-8659.