Amanda Quraishi
This interview is with Amanda Quraishi, a Muslim convert and activist in Austin, Texas. Quraishi discusses her journey of converting to Islam and her story of becoming an activist within the community and beyond. She shares her perspective on the strength and challenges facing the Muslim community, including the power of masses and the importance of accepting pluralism.
Aurelia Pratt
This interview is with Aurelia Pratt, a Chicana woman, and lead pastor to a progressive Baptist Church based in Austin, Texas. The vision of Pratt’s church focuses on decolonizing faith, justice, inclusion, and liberation. Aurelia speaks to the challenges of navigating life as a pastor during the global pandemic and how her personal experiences with racial tension and microaggressions as a brown woman of color have shaped who she is today.
Sarah Elsunni
This interview is with Sarah Elsunni, a Sudanese-American digital marketer living in San Antonio. Sarah was born and raised in Louisiana, where she attended Islamic School, fleeing to Texas after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She speaks to the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the public school system as one of the few Black identifying and the only hijabi students. In college, Sarah had the opportunity to experience several study abroad trips that further solidified her appreciation for multicultural understanding and led to a passion for digital marketing in grassroots organizations. Sarah currently works for Malikah, a gender justice organization.
Brent Hampton
This interview is with Brent Hampton, a pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Brenham. Brent studied engineering and business in college, but was most interested in the history of religion courses, eventually leading him to attend Sunday school where he fell in love with preaching. Brent also discusses the complications of socially distanced worship.
Mary Wilson
This interview is with Mary Wilson, a retired pastor and teacher who discusses her experiences from both occupations. Mary grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and has a background in education, first teaching junior high and later serving as an instructor at Austin Community College, upon receiving her masters in education. Mary was the pastor of The Church of The Savior for 18 years and holds a ministry doctoral degree. She also ran for a seat in Congress in 2017. In this interview, she shares formative experiences of her life, lessons from her time as a pastor and congressional candidate, and the challenges in her life, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rene Slataper
This interview is with Rene Slataper, who is currently seeking a ministry license and ordination at Chicago Theological Seminary. He shares his upbringing in San Antonio, coming from a military town and navigating his identity at a young age. Rene is now preaching at the student ministry at UT, guiding students in the process of bridging the experience of being queer and Christian. In this interview, we learn of his own journey in understanding himself and his faith, and the newfound challenges brought by the pandemic.
Sam Brannon
This interview is with Sam Brannon, who is the pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elgin, Texas. Sam discusses the fresh perspective he brings to the church. After three years of serving as their pastor, Sam has developed close relationships with the congregation, hearing their concerns and navigating their grievances with them. In this interview, Sam shares his own story, the inclusivity he preaches, and the new challenges of preaching during the pandemic.
Dan DeLeon
This interview is with Dan DeLeon, who serves Baptist congregations and has also been a youth minister for several years. Dan discusses growing in his theological beliefs and finally being a pastor at the Friends Congregational Church in College Station, Texas. Now, Dan and his community must learn how to stay connected, practice self-care, and worship during a pandemic. Friends Church has pursued several initiatives like spiritual care kits that were hand-delivered to every congregation member, quarterly newsletters, and Sunday zoom service.
Jake Maxwell
This interview is with Jake Maxwell, Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. Jake is interested in contemplative or meditative practice within organized religion and uses that knowledge to run a progressive Baptist church. Jake also speaks to the struggles of maintaining one’s mental health during a global pandemic and the importance of recognizing his own privilege as a white man.
Kristin Galle
This interview is with Kristin Galle, a professional interim minister who is ordained with the United Church of Christ. Kristin’s ambition is to help church leadership through transition periods and times of chaos. Kristin also discusses the importance of building community while staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kristin attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and speaks fondly of that experience.