David L. Weaver-Zercher                                 

Associate Professor of American Religious History

Chair, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies

For the last six years, I've been privileged to serve as the chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. In that role, I help my faculty colleagues think through ways to prepare our students to the best of our ability.

My job is easier because I'm blessed to have colleagues who are top-notch scholars, excellent teachers, and good mentors. We push our students academically, but we're also ready for relaxed conversations in our offices about all sorts of things.

As department chair, I don't teach as many courses as some faculty members. This year I'm teaching a First-Year Seminar, a section of Messiah's "core" course, and a course called "Religion in the United States." Much of my research and writing focuses on the Amish, including a new book on the Nickel Mines school shooting called Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.

My life away from Messiah revolves around my family, which includes my wife Valerie and three boys (ages 6, 4, and 2). On Sunday afternoons we host a house church in our home--which we find a great way to make our Christian faith an integral part of our "regular" lives.

Education:                                                                                                              Contact Information:

Ph.D., 1997                                                                                                            Messiah College

   University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill                                                   Box 3053                 
M.Div., 1987                                                                                                            E-mail: dzercher@messiah.edu

   Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary                                                          Phone: (717) 796-1800 ext.7379

B.A., 1983                                                                                                               Fax: (717) 796-4790                   

   Messiah College