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2026 Fiser-Christie Missions LectureshipNovember 7–8 • Featuring Dr. Sandra Richter
What do the Bible and Christian discipleship have to say about the way we treat the world around us? Join us for a weekend of engaging conversation with renowned Old Testament scholar Dr. Sandra Richter as we explore Scripture, creation, and what faithful stewardship looks like in everyday life. About Dr. Sandra L. Richter Dr. Sandra L. Richter is a respected Old Testament scholar, author, and the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. She earned her PhD in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University and serves on the NIV Committee for Biblical Translation. She is the author of The Epic of Eden and The Stewards of Eden and is widely known for making the Old Testament accessible and relevant to Christian life today. Her work also explores environmental theology and the biblical call to care for God’s creation. |
Past Speakers
2025 Mark Deymaz, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas 2024 Carol Cartmill, Church of the Resurrection 2023 Rev. Olujimi Brown, Impact Church 2022 Rev. J.D. Walt, Seedbed, Inc. 2021 Rev. Jorge Acevedo, Grace Church 2020 Rev. Jo Anne Lyon, World Hope International 2019 Rev. Jessica LaGrone, Asbury Theological Seminary 2018 Bishop Gregory Palmer, Council of Bishops 2017 Keith Wasserman, Good Works, Inc. 2015 Rev. Dr. Denise Honeycutt, UMCOR 2014 Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Imagine No Malaria |
What is the Fiser-Christie Lectureship? Established in 2013, the Paul Martin Fiser, M.D./Rev. James and Marie Christie Endowed Missions Lectureship was created to help the St. James congregation better understand mission needs and opportunities in our community and world—and inspire meaningful engagement in response. The first lectureship was held in November 2014, beginning an annual tradition of bringing knowledgeable and engaging voices to St. James to help us explore important issues through the lens of Christian faith and mission. Each year, the Fiser-Christie Lectureship invites us not only to learn, but to consider what comes next: How are we called to respond? Where can we serve? And how can our faith move us toward meaningful action? The Legacy Behind the LectureshipThe Fiser-Christie Lectureship honors the lives and legacies of Dr. Paul Martin Fiser, Rev. James Christie, and Marie Christie, whose commitments to faith, service, and mission continue through this annual tradition. Their legacy invites St. James to learn, serve, and engage more deeply with the needs of our community and world. Read more about these individuals below.
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Dr. Paul Martin FiserDr. Paul Martin “Marty” Fiser graduated from Hendrix College in 1967 and earned his MD at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1971 before pursuing post-graduate training in pediatrics at the University of Florida, and then allergy and immunology at Duke University. He retired after 33 years in the practice of allergy in 2012. He was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church throughout these years holding numerous leadership roles, teaching in various youth and adult Sunday School classes, and raising his family in the church. He had a special heart for supporting the mission activities of the church. He passed away on November 20, 2013. |
Marie Harrell ChristieMarie Harrell Christie was married to James Edward Christie for almost 60 years. Marie graduated from Stuttgart High School and attended Hendrix College, colleges in Louisiana, Southern Methodist University and Columbia University. She was active in the American Guild of Organists in Dallas, Texas and in every church choir where she and her husband served. Having married a Methodist minister, they served churches in Louisiana and Arkansas. They traveled all over the US for the General Board of Global Ministries. She passed away at the age of 90 on December 26, 2013. |
James Edward ChristieRev. James Edward Christie was a graduate of Hendrix College (1945) and Perkins School of Theology of SMU (1948), He began his ministry as associate pastor at First Methodist Church, Texarkana. He continued his ministry serving churches in Louisiana, including pastorates in Baton Rouge, Amite, Alexandria, Crowley, Franklin, Monroe, Ruston and New Orleans. He joined the executive staff of the General Board of Global Ministries in 1980, directing fund-raising campaigns for local churches across the nation. He passed away at the age 79, in Little Rock, on January 2, 2005. |