2015 RNA Annual Conference

Giving Films presents movie clips from “90 Minutes in Heaven” movie. The national bestseller turned feature film is the first film made to give profits as a "giving engine" founded by Rick Jackson.

Rick Jackson - CEO, Giving Films

2015 RNA Contest Winners

Connect with Pope Francis. Download the Missio app from the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Rev. Andrew Small - Pontifical Mission Societies

1. Add the Rev. Thomas Rosica, English language assistant to Holy See Press Office and head of Salt and Light Catholic Television Network; Austen Ivereigh, author of “The Great Reformer,” a widely hailed biography of Pope Francis; David O’Reilly, religion reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a veteran of several papal trips; John Thavis, author and journalist specializing in Vatican and religious affairs; plus a dash of David Gibson, national reporter for Religion News Service and longtime Vatican-watcher.

2. Stir together and mix with a room full of reporters who can share their own experiences and ask questions specific to the upcoming U.S. papal visit.

3. Enjoy a refreshing primer on all things Francis and feel yourself relax about the prospect of what will be a stress-inducing week of impossible deadlines for everyone else!

David Gibson (Moderator) - National Reporter, Religion News Service

Austen Ivereigh - Coordinator, Catholic Voices

David O'Reilly - Religion reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Rev. Thomas Rosica - English Language Assistant, Holy See Press Office

John Thavis - Author, Self-employed

As many of America's cities experience economic revival and draw young professionals and retirees to city life, many urban churches face uncertain futures and complex challenges. How are they finding creative ways to build community? How do they find the money and the members to serve long-term residents and newcomers?

Bob Smietana - Senior News Editor, Christianity Today

Rev. Leslie D. Callahan - Pastor, St. Paul's Baptist Church, Philadelphia

Shane Claiborne - Founder, The Simple Way

Alvin Sanders - Senior Vice President, World Impact

Experts from the Pew Research Center will present embargoed survey findings from their research on religion and public life.

Jessica Hamar Martinez - Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center

Gregory Smith - Associate Director, Research, Pew Research Center

From the rampages of ISIS to the Charlie Hebdo and Boston Marathon massacres, from the strong religious overtones of the Russia-Ukraine war to attacks on American mosques and Muslims, and to the kidnap-murders of Jewish and Arab youth in Israel, the question regularly arises: Why do people kill — and die — for religion? But is this even the right question, when far more people who share the same religion, background and grievances of the killers refrain from killing? What other factors are involved?

Peter Smith - Religion Editor, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Naveed Ahmad - Managing Director, Silent Heroes, Invisible Bridges

Hasan Azad - Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University, Contributor, Religion Dispatches and Islamic Monthly

Tom Heneghan - Religion Editor and Senior Correspondent, France, ThomsonReuters

How do American Muslims talk to one another about race and racism? About marriage, dating and gender roles? About the gaps between immigrant generations and their children and grandchildren? We'll introduce the conversations that American Muslims have with one another and to the some of the divisions — national, racial generational, theological — that can be hard to map from the outside.

Matthew Miller - editor and storytelling coach, Lansing State Journal

Dilshad Ali - Managing Editor, Patheos Muslim

Abdullah Pocius - Imam, Albania Masjid, Phildadelphia

Kameelah Rashad - Muslim Chaplain, University of Pennsylvania, and Founder, Muslim Wellness Foundation

ERLC presents President Russell Moore's newest book, "Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel."

Faith Counts, a multi-faith social media campaign aimed at promoting the value of faith, will announce the Grand Prize Winner of its "Film Your Faith" video contest. Brief remarks and a $20,000 check presentation will follow a showcase of the top two-minute film submissions.