USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture

He fled Boko Haram and helped build an award-winning restaurant. Now he’s facing deportation. Paul Dama left Nigeria after being kidnapped in 2018. His detention feels like "a second kidnapping," says his sister.

Paul Dama left Nigeria after being kidnapped in 2018. His detention by ICE now feels like “a second kidnapping,” says his sister.

“I felt like someone just sucked my blood, my air. Like, how do you live?"

Today's blog post is a personal reflection from Munmeeth Kaur, our new Legal Director who joined the Sikh Coalition last month.

Learn more about Munmeeth's professional bio and personal motivation by reading her note here: thesikh.co/new-legal-director

Lynell George on ‘Ode to ’Dena’ Conceived in the early days after the sweeping fires, the CAAM exhibition traces Altadena’s artistic history.

"There’s an intimacy and authority of place—of life—that energizes the [CAAM] show. 'Ode to ’Dena' showcases over two dozen artists of varying disciplines who have been in some way touched or shaped by the community.” @lynellgeorge.bsky.social: www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a... #Altadena

ICYMI: Watch Emery Younes and Pastor Mark Whitlock discuss how to take your organization to the next level by learning how to make your assets work for you and your organization.

Part 1: Emery Younes
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGdt...

Part 2: Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Cv...

How awesome is it when you run into a former student worker who continues to work in the social change space!

@uscedu.bsky.social alum Deja McCauley is now helping communities develop healthy neighborhood spaces with @psr-la.bsky.social.

Learn more about her work: www.psr-la.org/team/deja-mc...

During this summer of action, a phrase #TheOpEdProject training we hosted this spring sticks with us: "The story we tell becomes the world we live in."

To that end, we are in writing mode and pleased to share opinion pieces from our #CompellingPreaching program.

mailchi.mp/usc/crcc-new...

CRCC Affiliate Diane Winston's latest piece in @us.theconversation.com covers the rise and fall of televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart.

crcc.usc.edu/jimmy-swagga...

We were sending out directions to our office and came upon this very far-fetched “AI Overview” description of our office: 🤣

"...The open-concept living area has a chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances and finishes... the penthouse offers breathtaking views and an expansive balcony.”

#aifail

We were sending out directions to our office and came upon this very far-fetched “AI Overview” description of our office: 🤣

“A penthouse in a newly constructed luxury property with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a private elevator, and features like a private bar and spa-like bathrooms..."

#aifail

YouTube video by USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture Flourishing in Ministry with Rev. Chris Adams, PhD

Rev. Chris Adams directs the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University.

Learn about this new program and opportunity to receive FREE coaching for pastors:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAGj...

YouTube video by USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture How Faith Leaders Can Work with Media - Journalist Panel for Compelling Preaching Program

CRCC's #CompellingPreaching program teaches faith leaders how to "preach" on issues affecting their communities. A recent cohort went through a media readiness training about how to reach wider audiences and shape public narratives by working with media.

Watch now:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMXW...

Preaching Beyond the Walls of the Congregation: How Faith Leaders Can Use Media Congregations are often on the frontlines of significant social issues, from poverty to immigration to polarization. Clergy’s moral leadership on these issues is grounded in both their spiritual tradi...

CRCC’s #CompellingPreaching program held a training series to help faith leaders preach on critical issues, and to reach wider audiences and shape public narratives through:

- Opinion Writing
- Journalism
- Social Media

crcc.usc.edu/preaching-be...

Engaged Spirituality This open access book is a testimony to the power of telling good stories, revealing that the sharing of good religious stories helps advance vital conversation…

Pre-order now:
www.bloomsbury.com/us/engaged-s...

Telling good religion stories — KEN CHITWOOD Religious, spiritual and faith-inspired actors have long shaped public responses to some of society’s most urgent shared crises—from welcoming the stranger to caring for creation. Yet in much of the m...

Inspired by CRCC's Spiritual Exemplars Project, a forthcoming anthology, featuring @kenchitwood and 17 other authors, combines journalistic narrative with social-scientific reflections.

#engagedspirituality

www.kenchitwood.com/blog/2025/7/...

RNS/IA Religion Journalism Fellowship Deepen your understanding of religious expression and develop journalism skills specific to covering religion, faith, and spirituality.

Apply by July 18, 2025! The @religionnews.com.web.brid.gy & Interfaith America Religion Journalism Fellowship helps future religion journalists develop skills specific to covering belief, spirituality, interfaith cooperation and civic pluralism.

www.interfaithamerica.org/grants/relig...

Saturday join @countyofla.bsky.social for the Eaton Wildfire Insurance Workshop. This workshop will help guide attendees on how to work with the Department on any issues they may be having with their agent or adjuster during the claims process.

www.eventbrite.com/e/home-insur...

American Christian Nationalism, Christian Zionism, and the Middle East At Hartford International, you’ll join an interfaith peer group and professors who broaden your perspective and, in turn, deepen your ability to make a difference in a world where the roads no longer ...

On July 16th, join Hartford International University for Religion and Peace for a seminar on American Christian Nationalism, Christian Zionism, and the Middle East.

Learn more and join online or in person:
www.hartfordinternational.edu/news-events/...

We're still fighting for migrants' dignity in Los Angeles (RNS) — The deepest tenets of our religions move us to stand with families, congregants and neighbors who are facing the cruelty and scapegoating by the administration.

As we head into a hot holiday weekend with protests planned, faith leaders have a message: "Act from your deepest convictions. Show up how and where you can. Find your own power and use it to push for change."

Read multifaith piece: @religionnews.com.web.brid.gy

religionnews.com/2025/07/02/w...

As Germany’s far right builds ties with US conservatives, churches push back BERLIN (RNS) — Catholic and Protestant leaders are challenging a connection built on a common rejection of immigrants.

CRCC Affiliate Diane Winston took her religion reporting class to Germany this year.

Check out one of their articles: religionnews.com/2025/06/25/a...

CRCC helped facilitate learnings for the Young Leaders Programme at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore. Soraya Ahyaudin & Najuma Smith met Edwin Tong, Singapore's Minister for Law & Second Minister for Home Affairs, and Prof Mona Siddiqui of The University of Edinburgh.

Author Anastasia Stasi McAteer is part of CRCC's #CompellingPreaching project and took The OpEd Project's #WritetoChangetheWorld training.

www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/19/o...

ICE Goes After Church Leaders and Christians Fleeing Persecution - Christianity Today On Tuesday, Iranian asylum-seekers were detained in Los Angeles, adding to the count of church members taken despite lawful status.

ICE arrests asylum seekers, including Iranian Christians in LA, seeking religious protection. Many who get picked up by ICE have no apparent criminal history, and they're in the US lawfully, complying with orders from immigration courts.

www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/ice-...

Very cool media project from The Greater Good Science Center will uplift stories about love -- including "Love in Public" by @RNS and Valarie Kaur's "The Revolutionary Love Project".

ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_are/n...

ICE agents scatter as SD Bishop Pham, other clergy visit immigration court "Our presence made a difference," one priest said, quoting an immigration lawyer saying their client was given more time to prepare for another hearing.

The power of faith leaders in making a difference on the immigration issue...

timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06...

YouTube video by USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture On Money, A Critical Part of Making an Impact - Economic Empowerment with Rev. Steven Johnson

Rev. Steven Johnson, pastor of business and finance at Faithful Central for over a decade, also managed the finances of FAME Renaissance following the '92 unrest under the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray.

Here he shares how money fits into Murray’s 5M leadership model: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz3n...

The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape (Global Pentecost Charismat Christianity) The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape (Global Pentecost Charismat Christianity) - Kindle edition by Christerson, Brad, Flory, Richard. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape (Global Pentecost Charismat Christianity).

And “The Rise of Network Christianity” from Brad Christerson and Richard Flory:
www.amazon.com/Rise-Network...

The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy

You can read more about this movement in “The Violent Take it By Force” by Matthew D. Taylor:

bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Minnesota shooting suspect allegedly attended a Bible college popular among Christian nationalists Including several who were instrumental in the 2020 "Stop the Steal" campaign.

CRCC's Richard Flory: It’s not surprising that Vance Boelter, suspected of killing a MN state legislator and her husband, comes from the New Apostolic Reformation world, considering the violent rhetoric of many within the NAR fold.

Read full article:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

We know that pastoring can be demanding work. We want you to be equipped to lead your community within and beyond your congregation, so we're partnering with Rosemead to offer you this resource.

Fill out the interest form for Flourishing in Ministry coaching:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The Flourishing in Ministry wellbeing model is grounded in 10 years of research. Go on a journey of self-discovery with coaches certified by Rosemead School of Psychology’s Mental Health and the Church Initiative.

Fill out the interest form for coaching:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...