FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2026
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Council of Churches is pleased to announce the award of a $13,500 grant from the State Ecumenical Executives (SEE) to support Faith, Film, and Courageous Conversations, a statewide initiative designed to deepen understanding of Christian nationalism and cultivate a faithful public witness rooted in justice, compassion, religious freedom, and the common good.
The 12-month initiative, running from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027, will feature at least 10 documentary screenings and facilitated conversations across North Carolina, emphasizing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Duke Divinity School, and rural faith communities. Building upon the Council’s previous screenings of Bad Faith and its 2026 Faithful Voter Guide, the project will feature God & Country, a documentary examining Christian nationalism and its implications for democracy, religious liberty, and Christian witness, or similar educational films. God & Country features Bishop William J. Barber II, whose leadership offers a meaningful North Carolina connection.
“We are deeply grateful to our State Ecumenical Executives (SEE) partners for their generous investment and commitment to walking alongside us in this important work. Their support strengthens our resolve and fuels our enthusiasm for what is possible when faith, courage, and conviction converge. Together, we are cultivating a new generation of principled Christian leaders who will challenge fear with love, confront injustice with courage, and transform the world through peace rooted in justice,” said Rev. Dr. Regina H. Moore, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches.
A distinctive feature of Faith, Film, and Courageous Conversations is its intentional engagement of college students, many of whom come from the rural communities the Council seeks to reach. The Council will collaborate with HBCUs, historically Black Greek-letter organizations, rural ecumenical ministerial alliances, and denominational leaders. Students will be invited to serve as discussion facilitators, panelists, and contributors to educational resources, bringing fresh perspectives to intergenerational conversations about faith, democracy, and public life.
Each screening will incorporate facilitated theological conversations, guided reflection questions, and shared meals designed to foster authentic relationships. Rooted in Galatians 5:13, which calls believers to exercise their freedom through love and service, the initiative will explore a central question: How can Christians bear faithful public witness without allowing the pursuit of political power to overshadow the teachings of Jesus Christ?
Through education, advocacy, and awareness, the Council seeks to equip faith communities to examine Christian nationalism, understand the implications of the dominionist movement, and articulate a counter-narrative grounded in human dignity, religious freedom, and love of neighbor. The initiative reflects the Council’s longstanding commitment to strength in unity and peace through justice while investing in the next generation of principled Christian leaders.
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Founded in 1935, the North Carolina Council of Churches is a statewide ecumenical organization bringing together 19 denominations, 27 judicatories, and more than 6,000 congregations to build a more just and equitable North Carolina. Through education, advocacy, and collaborative ministry, the Council strengthens the public witness of faith communities and promotes a more just and compassionate North Carolina.
