In Arlington, Virginia, Dr. Mark Olson and his faculty at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies help to prepare the next generation of Baptist ministers and lay leaders. For the past 20 years, the school has striven to recruit and train a diverse and committed body of teachers and students. Mark Olson and the John Leland Center ground their work in the commitment of faith leaders over the generations, including early 19th century minister Luther Rice.In Arlington, Virginia, Dr. Mark Olson and his faculty at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies help to prepare the next generation of Baptist ministers and lay leaders. For the past 20 years, the school has striven to recruit and train a diverse and committed body of teachers and students. Mark Olson and the John Leland Center ground their work in the commitment of faith leaders over the generations, including early 19th century minister Luther Rice.

1. A PORTRAIT OF PIONEERING
BAPTIST LEADER LUTHER RICE
Mark Olson, John Leland Center

2. INTRODUCTION
 In Arlington, Virginia, Dr. Mark Olson and his faculty at the
John Leland Center for Theological Studies help to prepare
the next generation of Baptist ministers and lay leaders. For
the past 20 years, the school has striven to recruit and train a
diverse and committed body of teachers and students. Mark
Olson and the John Leland Center ground their work in the
commitment of faith leaders over the generations, including
early 19th century minister Luther Rice.
Born in 1783 in Massachusetts, Luther Rice was raised in the
Congregationalist Church, but began to question its formalistic
teachings. He became a missionary to India, and on the
voyage there, he studied the Bible and engaged in intense
soul-searching.
Among other conclusions, Rice came to the opinion that only
believers should be baptized.

3. LUTHER RICE
 Upon his return to the United States, he realized the
need to offer a Baptist-run college to residents of the
Washington, DC, area. So he made connections with
the American Baptist movement and founded Columbian
College in the district in 1821. The school would later
change its name to The George Washington University.
Thanks to Rice and other early Baptist ministers, the
region around the capital became an established point
for higher education in the traditions of their faith.
The George Washington University named its
administration building after Rice, and today also
maintains the Luther Rice Fellowship for undergraduate
researchers through its Columbian College of Arts and
Sciences.