Professor Jennifer Koh Leads Communitas Pastoral Leadership Program in Washington, DC

During the week of October 3, 2022, professor Jennifer Lee Koh led a week of programming in Washington, DC for a group of Christian pastors from Southern California participating in the Communitas Program, sponsored by Pepperdine University's Center for Faith and Learning. Communitas is a pastoral leadership program that "honors early career pastors and supports them in their development as leaders who can guide their congregations toward becoming significant agents for positive change in their communities." The theme of the week was "Who is My Neighbor? Migration and the Making of America."

Activities included a half-day session on immigration law and policy with Professor Koh and meetings with a range of thought leaders on immigration and Christianity, including Guerline Jozef, founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance and recipient of the 2021 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, Haitian Bridge Alliance member Carole Shannon, and internationally recognized peace builder and artist Monica Brasov Curca. Participants visited the headquarters office of Sojourners and met with Sandy Ovalle, Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing, as well as the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) to discuss immigration policy with Galen Carey, Vice President of Government Relations for NAE. The week of programming, developed by Professor Koh in collaboration with Communitas Staff (Jennifer Chrien, Stephanie Cupp, and Zac Luben), also included a joint session with Professor Koh’s Immigration Law class to explore intersections related to theology, faith and immigration law; a visit to the National Cathedral; and a day of reflection at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Communitas Program receives funding and support from the Lilly Endowment.

Additional information may be found at Communitas Pastoral Leadership Program