They’re back! On January 9-13, Dr. Hillel Gray and a team of seven student research assistants will conduct field work in Topeka. The team will meet with a few Topeka residents from the LGBT and Jewish communities, while focusing primarily on interviews and observations at the controversial Westboro Baptist Church.

We anticipate interviewing two daughters of founder Fred Phelps, Sr., as well as members of three churchgoing families. Students will also observe a home Bible reading, the WBC’s emblematic street preaching, an evening get-together for singing hymns, and a Sunday worship service.

The schedule is organized thanks to Steve Drain, one of eight Elders who rotate preaching responsibilities at Westboro Baptist Church.

During the spring semester, several student researchers will be doing follow-up research on Westboro Baptists.