For more than half a century, Dr. Bill J. Leonard’s scholarship, teaching, and leadership have shaped generations of students, pastors, scholars, and congregations. His work models a faithful and  accessible approach to theological reflection rooted in Baptist traditions, historical consciousness, and moral courage. The Summer Institute honors that legacy by creating a vibrant space where scholarship and fellowship converge, cultivating conversations across generations and equipping leaders to engage the pressing challenges of a changing world with wisdom, conviction, and hope.

For the inaugural 2026 gathering, the Bill J. Leonard Summer Institute will explore the theme, “A Legacy of Dissent.” The program will examine dissent both as a historic practice within the Baptist tradition and as a vital prophetic practice for navigating the ethical, political, and spiritual challenges of contemporary life.