robert f. meneilly
Visiting Scholar
The Meneilly Visiting Scholar program brings Biblical scholars and theologians to Village Church for a community-focused weekend of presentations and conversation about modern topics that matter. Our Meneilly Scholars challenge us with fresh and innovative, yet well supported perspectives on theological topics; increase our understanding of the wisdom of the past; and engage us to honor and faithfully serve the God we worship and upon whom we rely.
feb. 27 & 28, 2026
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III
Village Presbyterian Church is delighted to welcome the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III as the 2026 Meneilly Visiting Scholar. Dr. Moss is an engaging, compelling, and passionate advocate of the Gospel, an impactful author, and the Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago—a church that identifies itself as “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.” He was recognized by Baylor University as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English language and by Root 100 in its inaugural list of extraordinary African-American leaders.
This Year’s Event
The series will take place over two sessions: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 and 9-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 in person at Mission Campus and livestreamed. The event is free of charge, but registration is requested so we may prepare for your visit. We hope to see you there!
About Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III
The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, III is one of the country’s most renowned and beloved spiritual and civil rights leaders. He built his ministry on community empowerment and social justice activism, as evidenced through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hailed as one of the “twelve most of effective preachers in the English-speaking world” by Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, he has been cited by Chicago Magazine as one of the city’s thirty most influential people. He is an NAACP Image Award recipient, award-winning filmmaker and Professor of Homiletics at Mercer University McAfee School of Theology.
As the Senior Pastor at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ, Dr. Moss spent the last two decades practicing and preaching a Black theology that unapologetically calls attention to the problem of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic apartheid. Dr. Moss preaches a theology of liberation rooted in a Black Spirituality of love and justice. His passion for African American culture and history combined with a deep appreciation for jazz and hip hop, have culminated in a unique message of hope and healing through a jazz narrative on American democracy.
As a preacher, poet, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality, he founded The Unashamed Media Group, a faith-based, justice centered agency committed to producing and curating stories to inspire the heart and challenge the mind.
He is married to Monica Brown Moss, and they are the proud parents of two children, MK and Eli.
Rev. Dr. Moss holds a BA in religion from Morehouse College, an MDiv from Yale University Divinity School, and a DMin from Chicago Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including:
- “Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times” (2024)
- “Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair” (2015, based largely on his Lyman Beecher lectures at Yale, 2014)
- “The Gospel According to The Wiz: And Other Sermons from Cinema” (2014)
- “Preach! The Power and Purpose Behind Our Praise” (2012, written with Otis Moss, Jr.)