Joshua DuBois, author of The President’s Devotional (HarperCollins) and a spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama, will speak at Vanderbilt University Divinity School Dec. 4.
DuBois’ talk and book signing, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. in the Divinity School’s Reading Room. The event will be recorded for viewing later at news.vanderbilt.edu.
The President’s Devotional is a collection of 365 of the daily inspirational messages that DuBois began sending then-Sen. Obama during his first presidential campaign. DuBois, who was working for Obama, recognized the stress of the campaign on his boss. DuBois asked Obama if he could begin emailing Obama the devotionals to read each morning. The messages included short snippets of scripture, stories, quotes and prayers to provide counsel, encouragement and inspiration.
During Obama’s first term, DuBois served as executive director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. DuBois said he learned much and gained an inside view on Obama’s faith and values. The book includes longer meditations on DuBois’ insights while accompanying the president on such momentous events as the Sandy Hook shootings.
DuBois, a Nashville native, is the founder of Values Partnerships, which advises leaders in government, business and the nonprofit sector on faith-based partnerships and religion in the public square.
A reception will follow DuBois’ lecture, which is sponsored by Vanderbilt Divinity School, the Cal Turner Program and the VDS Office of Student Life. For more information, email Sha’Tika Brown or call 615-322-2776.