Previous Events

In 2025, Wheaton Archives & Special Collections and the A. Duane Litfin Divinity School celebrated the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of J. Samuel Escobar (1934–2025) — Peruvian theologian, pastor, and leading voice in Latin American evangelicalism. The program featured tributes from family members, colleagues, and ministry partners, a presentation of a special double issue of the Journal of Latin American Theology: Christian Reflections from the Latino South, dedicated to Dr. Escobar, and a curated exhibit showcasing highlights from the newly acquired J. Samuel Escobar Papers at the Wheaton Archives & Special Collections. Learn more and view a video recording of the event here.

In September 2016, Special Collections hosted a Symposium on Lilias Trotter (1853-1928). A gifted painter whose art drew high praise from John Ruskin, Lilias Trotter left a comfortable life in Europe for work as a missionary in Algeria. Along with an exhibit of Lilias Trotter's journals and sketchbooks from Special Collections, the Sympsoium included presentations from Miriam Rockness, Matthew Milliner, Laura Waters Hinson, Lena Connor, and Giovanna Meek, as well as a film showing of Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter. Explore a collection of the recorded talks from the Symposium here.

In July 1988, the Evangelism & Missions Archives hosted the The Evangelical Archives Conference at Wheaton College. Sponsored by the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals and funded by the Lilly Foundation, the Conference addressed the unique challenges facing archives and memory institutions dedicated to acquiring and preserving materials documenting American evangelicalism. Final reports and recommendations from the Conference were published as Heritage at Risk: Proceedings of the Evangelical Archives Conference.