Interfaith Encounters

Dr. Carroll is half-Guatemalan and was raised bilingual and bicultural. In his youth, he spent many summers in Guatemala and later taught at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City for thirteen years. The realities of Central America sparked Dr. Carroll's fascination with the Old Testament. The relevance of the biblical text for the challenges of poverty, war, and politics in those developing countries led him to a passionate focus on Old Testament social ethics and the social sciences. In addition, his studies in English literature and literary theory have generated an ongoing engagement with literary approaches to the Old Testament and critical studies. Experiences in this country and abroad have led him to a deep appreciation for the unique contributions that ethnic minorities, women, and the global church make to the interpretation of the Old Testament. Before coming to Wheaton, Dr. Carroll taught Old Testament at Denver Seminary for many years and founded a Spanish-language lay training program there. At Wheaton, he hopes to model a commitment to connecting careful biblical scholarship with the mission of the church as it engages today’s complex realities. Dr. Carroll has been involved in Hispanic churches and teaching on the Bible and immigration for many years. His research focuses on the prophetic literature and Old Testament social ethics. He has just completed a major commentary on the book of Amos.

Zahra N. Jamal is Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Consultant. An award-winning former faculty member at Harvard and MIT, Dr. Jamal was founding director of the Civil Islam Initiative at University of Chicago, founding director of the Central Asia and International Development Initiative at Michigan State, and Associate Director at The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding’s Center for the Study of American Muslims. Her fieldwork covers voluntarism, migrant labor, gender-equity, and food security in Muslim societies. Dr. Jamal consults on gender, race, and religion for the UN, State Department, Department of Justice, Aspen Institute, Aga Khan Development Network, and private corporations. She has published with Duke University Press, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, and The Hill, and appeared on BBC World News. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, double B.A. in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and in Slavic Studies from Rice, and is a Certified Diversity Professional.

Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). He directs UMCOR’s Global Migration portfolio and represents the global migration work of the General Board of Global Ministries. In his coordination of Global Migration work, Amick serves on the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, on advisory committees for Church World Service, the board of NJFON, the ACT Alliance Migration and Displacement Reference Group, and maintains relations with several migration/refugee organizations. He has been serving at UMCOR for over seven years, 4 years of which involved the direction of disaster response programs. Amick served as pastor at local United Methodist Churches for seven years. Prior to being ordained as a United Methodist elder, Amick served two years with the Refugee Admissions Office of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at the U.S. Department of State and two years as Vice-Consul for Economic Affairs at the US Consulate in Mumbai, India. As Desk Officer for Eastern Europe at the Peace Corps, Amick designed crisis responses to flooding in Central Europe and post-war recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1985, he volunteered for one year as director of Christian education for the seven Methodist Churches in the Caribbean nation of Grenada. He has led the response to disasters in different contexts, including managing disaster damage assessments and family services with the American Red Cross. Amick spent one year working with homeless individuals in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He has been part of UMVIM teams that responded to needs in Grenada and Liberia as well as in the United States. Amick has a Bachelor of Arts in International Service and Economics from The American University in Washington, DC, a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and a Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology. Amick enjoys the outdoors, playing bagpipes, and writing liturgical prayers and poetry. He is the father of two young adults and the husband of Rev. Susan Amick, United Methodist Deacon, who serves as Chaplain with Wesley Woods Senior Living in Atlanta.

A Houston native dedicated to the causes of diversity and women’s empowerment, Manpreet K. Singh is a supervising attorney that has tried over 50 cases. Currently a Chapter representative for the American Board of Trial Attorneys, she also is serving as a director and trustee with the Sikh Coalition. Recognized in 2018 & 2013 as a recipient for the Diversity First Award. And in 2011 by the Houston Young Lawyers Association, Manpreet has also been a very active member of a variety of Houston and South Asian community organizations. She has completed the Harvard Leadership Program and the American Bar Association Leadership Academy. In 2009, Manpreet testified in front of the Texas Board of Education to include Sikhism (the world’s fifth largest religion) in school textbooks, which was then implemented by the Board for 6th and 10th grade levels. Manpreet continues to support this achievement by teaching many of these classes throughout Houston schools. She also conducts outreach sessions for Interfaith Ministries, for law enforcement, and for the Boniuk Center, where she is also served on the Board. Manpreet also completed the FBI citizen’s diversity academy. Nationally, Manpreet travels to Washington, DC annually to lobby for passage of the Safe Schools Act to ensure the safety and inclusion of all children in their schools, to advocate for increased diversity and inclusiveness in the US Army, and to have the FBI track hate crimes against the Sikh community, which was accomplished in 2013. Locally Manpreet testified before Houston City Counsel in support of the Equal Rights Ordinance and was able to bring the Sikh Project displaying portraits of Sikhs across America, in the City Hall Rotunda for six weeks. Manpreet has also frequently appeared in media to educate about diversity, including being interviewed by several news affiliates and writing op/ed pieces in print media about the effects of the 2012 shooting at the Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara (place of worship). In her free time, Manpreet enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, shopping and dancing in public to embarrass her two soccer stars.

Bishop Kelly is a native of Iowa and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He studied for the priesthood in Holy Trinity Seminary at the University of Dallas here in Irving and was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. He served in several parishes in the Dallas area since then and has served as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas since 2016. He has lived in Irving since 2008. Bishop Kelly has been involved with:

Debra Boudreaux is a senior volunteer with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. She has more than 31 years of experience working on major projects related to charity, medical care, education, and humanitarian aid. Debra was previously the CEO of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation. She leads Buddhist and Catholic interfaith dialogues and serves as a member of the UN Multi-Faith Advisory Council. She serves as the Board Secretary for Global NGO Executive Committee within the UN DGC NGO venue. She also serves as Board of Trustees of Parliament of the World's Religions. Debra has visited Thailand Refugee Center, Turkey Refugee School, Malaysia Refugee Health Clinic and TJ Refugee Shelter. She has engaged with Climate Urgency and Climate Refugees, Internal Displacement Population crisis both domestic and International. Debra graduated from University of Columbia Missouri. She engages in COVID-19 PPE distribution and Vaccination as well experiencing the medical racism at this pandemic crisis. Debra Boudreaux patterns her daily life under the teaching of Venerable Master Shih Cheng Yen, Respect, gratitude and love to all sentient beings whenever and wherever we can.

Anwar Khan President of Islamic Relief USA. He has more than twenty five years of experience working in the field of humanitarian and development assistance. Mr. Khan has extensive experience in the field: he has traveled to five continents visiting more than 20 countries that have been affected by human conflict or natural disaster zones. Before becoming President, Anwar held a variety of leadership roles at Islamic Relief USA, directing Islamic Relief USA’s program efforts; managing its fundraising offices and operations; overseeing its fund development work; and leading the organization as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Khan is the longest serving staff members in the organization. Mr. Khan has also served on several boards such as Interaction, and was an advisor for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA), and the U.S. State Department’s Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group. Currently, he serves on the board of World Food Program USA, Joint Learning Initiative and the Alliance to End Hunger. He is also on the advisory Council with the City of Alexandria Police and the Advisory Council for Muslim Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University.

Julie Rayman, Senior Director of Policy and Political Affairs of the American Jewish Committee helps us understand how Jews relate through their history to migrants and immigrants, and what this means today. Since January 2012, Julie Rayman, Senior Director of Policy and Political Affairs, has served as the lead legislative advocate for AJC’s policy priorities. On behalf of AJC, she has supported the launch of congressional caucuses such as the Bipartisan Taskforce for Antisemitism, the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, and the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance. Regularly on Capitol Hill to advocate for AJC priority legislation, she has helped position AJC as a thought and policy leader in combating global antisemitism and hate, promoting Israel’s place in the world, promoting pluralism, and advocating for strong, principled American global leadership. In addition to spearheading AJC’s outreach on Capitol Hill, Rayman also fulfills a variety of senior political liaison responsibilities for AJC, engaging with candidates and elected officials, crafting and promulgating policy position papers and Party platform suggestions, and spearheading AJC’s events on the sidelines of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Before coming to AJC, she was senior advisor to Congressman Heath Shuler, covering foreign policy, human rights, defense, and homeland security. Rayman holds a B.A. from American University as well as a Master’s from the National Defense University in Strategic Security Studies, with a concentration in counterterrorism. She also holds an M.A. from Georgetown University in Religious Studies.

This episode explores more deeply what it means to be authentic humans in an AI age. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply what it means for humans to think about themselves. What does it mean to be conscious? Self conscious? Can an AI be self-conscious? A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply what it means to think of ourselves as biological machines, and where our true humanity might lie. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply how we find our human place in the complex relationships that make up our world. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply what it means to think of our brains as computers, and how computers can be thought of as brains. But is it really that simple? A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply what it means to think of ourselves as intelligent, and where our true humanity might lie. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode explores more deeply what it means to think of ourselves as biological machines, and where our true humanity might lie. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

This episode introduces the ways our human self understanding is taking place. A video version is found at http://www.youtube.com/@InterfaithEncounters or http://interfaith-encounters.org.

If we want to know how AI will shape the future we need to think of it less as a computer program and more like infrastructure. Having AI is more like having electricity than like having Microsoft Word. As it is integrated into every task the tasks become easier. I’ve mentioned some of these tasks. But there are many more places that AI is already embedded in daily life. It is speeding up medical diagnosis and designing treatments. It is guiding surgeons. It is balancing loads in power grids. It is doing logistics planning in many industries. It will soon drive our cars and trucks for us. It can already manage our homes. It is and will continue to provide basic services for the house bound and disabled, or for that matter anyone. It is already playing a role in weather forecasting. But it is also in the background in almost every business through its ability to find patterns in large amounts of data. And in doing these things, if we manage it well, AI will give us more leisure to be human for one another, and to be creative with one another in ways that we do not have time for now. But only if we manage it well. Because like every other advance in human knowledge there is the potential for marginalization. In the recent TV story Andor there is a chilling series of episodes in which humans are used like robots, because it is cheaper and easier to enslave humans that build robots. AI will serve us only if we preserve our humanity. In the UMC we have a prayer that we be “spared from grinding toil that destroys the fullness of life.” AI has the potential to be an answer to this prayer, if we won’t confuse artificial intelligence with human intelligence, or artificial intelligence with human consciousness. The question isn’t whether we will use it. We are already using it. We are using it even when we don’t know we are using it. The question is how we will use it and whether it will use us. And those decisions will depend on our commitment to understand our own humanity and that of others, and our decision to cultivate that humanity as the fundamental response to our creator’s first command to be fruitful and multiply.

The Path to Spiritual Growth and Enlightenment In the digital age where distractions are at every turn, the journey towards spiritual growth and enlightenment has never been more crucial. Spiritual direction, a sacred practice that has its roots in ancient traditions, offers a beacon of light to those seeking inner peace, purpose, and connection. This transformative process allows individuals to delve deep into their spiritual core, guided by a seasoned spiritual director or mentor. Whether you're exploring the realms of mindfulness, seeking solace through meditation, or are on the path of self-discovery with practices like yoga, the guidance of a spiritual director can offer invaluable insights and direction. The ultimate aim? To align with one's true self, foster a profound connection with the universe, and lead a life of meaning and purpose. Harnessing the Power of Spiritual Direction in Modern Times In a world dominated by search engines and keywords, the quest for authentic spiritual content can be overwhelming. However, when you infuse your search with terms like "spiritual direction," "inner peace techniques," "guidance for soulful living," or "deepening spiritual practice," you unlock a treasure trove of wisdom waiting to be explored. For the spiritually inclined, the benefits of such a journey are manifold: improved mental well-being, a deeper sense of belonging, clarity of purpose, and an elevated consciousness. By harnessing the power of spiritual direction, one is not only enriched personally but also contributes to raising the collective consciousness, making the world a more harmonious place. It's about tapping into that age-old wisdom while leveraging the tools of modern times, including Artificial Intelligence if used with integrity.

The Moral Arc of the Universe: A Timeless Quest for Justice Throughout history, the concept that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice" has resonated deeply with activists, philosophers, and change-makers across the globe. This profound statement, often associated with Martin Luther King Jr., encapsulates the ever-evolving journey of humanity towards fairness, equity, and righteousness. In today's digital era, as users turn to search engines with queries like "historical movements for justice," "evolution of human rights," or "timeline of moral progression," it's evident that the quest to understand and contribute to this moral trajectory remains as relevant as ever. The moral arc becomes a focal point of discourse, reflecting the collective desire for a world where justice prevails over prejudice. Modern Interpretations of the Moral Arc and its Significance In an interconnected world powered by information, search trends like "moral universe in the 21st century," "social justice evolution," and "impact of technology on morality" highlight society's attempts to grapple with contemporary moral dilemmas. With advancements in technology and increased global communication, the concept of the moral arc is undergoing continuous introspection and reinterpretation. Now, more than ever, individuals and communities have the tools at their fingertips—literally—to influence the bending of this arc. Each click, share, and digital interaction serves as a testament to humanity's enduring commitment to shape a just and equitable future. The digital age, with its vast potential and challenges, offers unprecedented opportunities to expedite the journey along this moral arc, ensuring that the bend towards justice is not just an aspiration but a tangible reality.

In recent years, the infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors has been transformative, and Christian ministry is no exception. Digital evangelism has been given a new edge with AI-powered chatbots, offering real-time scriptural references, answering theological questions, and providing personalized spiritual guidance. The demand for search terms such as "Christian AI chatbot," "Bible study AI tools," and "digital evangelism AI" has skyrocketed, indicating the growing interest in these innovations. Additionally, predictive analytics and machine learning are aiding churches and ministries in forecasting trends, optimizing outreach strategies, and even in the personalization of sermons, making the gospel more accessible and engaging to the digital age populace. As Christian ministries delve deeper into the digital sphere, optimizing their online presence becomes imperative. Employing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques tailored to AI-powered searches can drastically improve the online visibility of church websites, digital sermons, and theological resources. Voice search optimization, for instance, is vital given the proliferation of AI-driven voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. It's essential to incorporate long-tail keywords like "how to integrate AI in church outreach" or "Christian teachings on artificial intelligence ethics." Furthermore, the use of AI in analyzing website traffic patterns, user engagement, and content relevancy can help ministries fine-tune their content, ensuring they reach a wider audience and truly harness the transformative potential of the AI era. But can and AI driven church maintain its humanizing mission?