In episode 6, our host Regina Banks speaks to Rev. Dr. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (which you will hear referred to by its acronym, NECU) about the challenges facing institutions of higher education. 

In our history segment, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Joey Chin shares about Martin Luther's steadfast support for education. 

In our impact story segment, campus pastor for Wittenberg University Tracy Paschke-Johannes shares about the experiences of students on campus during a period of heightened political tension.

You can take action today to support schools, universities and students by messaging your representatives with this action alert: Support Schools, Universities and Students. 

View all of our current action alerts at the ELCA Action Center. 

Join our mailing list to be alerted of all our action alerts when they're posted: http://elca.org/advocacy/signup

Want to contact us? Send us an email at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 866-740-3522.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 5 of Here I Pod, host Regina Q. Banks is joined by the ELCA's Program Director for Migration Policy, Giovana Oaxaca for an extended interview. 

Their conversation explores the work of AMMPARO and the ELCA in supporting migrants and refugees. Oaxaca provides historical contexts for today's current immigration policies, and the church's response to these challenges. It highlights the importance of advocacy, community support, and the impact of sensitive locations policies on vulnerable populations. 

In our other sections, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Joey Chin provides a short history of Global Refuge, and AMMPARO representative Stephen Deal shares a faith reflection as well as stories of how serving migrants is transforming churches in the Americas. 

You can take action today using these action alerts in the ELCA Action Center:

• Oppose Mass Deportations – Lenten Action Series - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Help End Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Resources: 

• The Latest: Know Your Rights Information - AMMPARO » AMMPARO - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• What Can Congregations Do to Prepare for Immigration Raids? - AMMPARO » AMMPARO - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Special Guests: 

Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy, ELCA.

Stephen Deal, Regional Representative for AMMPARO.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

Episode 4 of Here I Pod from ELCA Advocacy takes a critical look at the direct impact on lives worldwide of the evolving landscape of U.S. foreign assistance. Featuring conversations with the ELCA program director for international policy, a leader working on the ground in Tanzania and other key voices, this episode examines the critical connection between U.S. policy, vulnerable people and the ELCA's commitment to global aid. Advocacy can have impact ensuring that life-saving programs receive the funding they desperately need. Tune in to understand the challenges and learn how you can make a difference. 

Featured Guest:

Patricia Kisare, Program Director for International Policy, ELCA Witness in Society

Special Guests

The Rev. Franklin Ishida, ELCA Director for the Asia and the Pacific

Dr. Godson Maro, Chief of Party for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania’s Kizazi Hodari program 

Daudi Msseemmaa, ELCA Regional Representative to East Africa

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

Real people making a real difference come to the fore in Episode 3 of Here I Pod from ELCA advocacy, delving into how faith-based advocates can engage in shaping public policy and drive meaningful community engagement. Featuring the Rev. Erin Jones and advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania, join the discussion of how people get involved and hear from state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans of Pennsylvania’s 95th legislative District, who illuminates the advocacy experience from the point of view of a state lawmaker. We also delve into the challenges posed by Christian nationalism, highlighting the importance of and tools for navigating this complex landscape, and gain insights into the transformative power of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology and its continued relevance to contemporary Christian faith. 

Take action today and message your representatives at the ELCA Advocacy Action Center. Receive new alerts by email by signing up here:  ELCA.org/advocacy/signup.

Review and download the Bonhoeffer curriculum developed by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale - "Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire," at lutheranadvocacypa.org/bonhoeffer.

Featured Guest: 

Rev. Erin Jones, Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania  

History Segment Host:  

Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow 

Special Guests 

State Representative Carol Hill-Evans, Pennsylvania 95th legislative district 

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

This conversation explores the intersection of faith and environmental advocacy within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with the ELCA Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy and additional guests. The dialogue highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by congregations in implementing sustainable practices and the importance of community engagement and storytelling in advocacy efforts, especially in the legislative landscape surrounding clean energy initiatives. Ways are pointed to for individuals and congregations to take action for the well-being of God’s good creation today.

Featured Guest:

Christine Moffett, ELCA Program Director, Environment & Energy Policy

History Segment Host: 

Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

Special Guests

Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Professor of Christian Ethics, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, and Founding Director of the PLTS Center for Climate Justice and Faith

The Rev. Paul Metzloff, Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reading, Penn.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. 

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In the inaugural episode of Here I Pod from ELCA advocacy, host Regina Q. Banks and featured guest Andrew Fuller, ELCA Program Director for Economic Policy, discuss the pressing issues of housing and homelessness in the United States. They explore the alarming trends, the policy landscape intersecting with these trends, as well as what faith-based organizations are seeing and doing to address these challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for community and individual advocacy action and includes ways we all can advocate for creative affordable housing solutions. The episode concludes with a reflection on the theological implications of advocacy and the call to justice and love in the Christian faith.

History Segment Host: 

Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

Special Guests: 

Rev. Sister Cora Lea Rose, Esq., ELCA Deacon - Legal Advocacy Ministry, Brookings, Ore.

The Rev. Matthew Best, serving in Harrisburg, Penn.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy. Join the ELCA Advocacy network: elca.org/advocacy/signup

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.