A preacher preaches the gospel while holding a bible. Members of the chorus read and smile in the background.

Faith and Calling

Share

Faith can shape how we interact with the world, calling many people to social activism and humanitarian work. The call of faith often challenges us to walk with and work for those who are most in need: the poor, the displaced, the marginalized. Faith can also provide the hope and encouragement needed to continue work on issues that seem insurmountable, such as climate change, hunger, and poverty. Answering the call of faith can play a significant role in shaping how individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives. In this collection of conversations, people share how they heard and responded to the call of faith.

The interviews below were recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. 

Dwayne M'Lean and Emmanuel Hooks

January 6, 2019

More stories about: Social Justice Healing & Recovery

Dwayne M’Lean gave up life as a gang member and became a Christian minister after praying to God for mercy while serving time in prison. In this conversation, M’Lean and fellow church member Emmanuel Hooks discuss belonging to something larger than themselves and reflect on their ministry work to help those in need.

This story was produced by David Dault at Sandburg Media, LLC.

Jackie Howard and Todd Slutzky

September 4, 2018

More stories about: Judaism Gender

Jackie Howard identifies as Jewish but has always had a complicated relationship with her faith, owing to her largely secular upbringing and her friendships with people of different religious backgrounds. In this conversation Howard joins her son Todd Slutzky to reflect on the evolution of her faith and what being Jewish means to her today.

This story was produced by David Dault at Sandburg Media, LLC.

Meir Feldman and Ibad Wali

June 28, 2018

More stories about: Islam Judaism

Rabbi Meir Feldman and Shaykh Ibad Wali both experienced spiritual and personal transformation as they studied to become faith leaders. In this conversation, the friends and colleagues reflect on what motivates their work as religious leaders and consider how faith shapes their outlooks on life.

This story was produced by David Dault at Sandburg Media, LLC

Called by Circumstances: Ronald English and James Patterson

April 1, 2016

More stories about: Race Christianity

Ronald English grew up attending Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., served as a pastor and prompted English to join the ministry. In this conversation, English talks with his friend and fellow pastor James Patterson about the experiences under segregation and the influences that brought both of them to become pastors.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

John Foley and Preston Kendall

March 10, 2016

More stories about: Education Catholicism

Rev. John Foley, S.J., and Preston Kendall played key roles in the formation of the Cristo Rey Network, a nationwide organization of Jesuit high schools for low-income students funded by a corporate work-study program. In this conversation, Kendall reflects on his spiritual and professional journey from pursuing a career in business to working in secondary education.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

What Makes a Priest a Priest? Monique Gamache Venne and Linda Wilcox

May 30, 2015

More stories about: Catholicism Gender

When Monique Gamache Venne was a young girl, she was fascinated by the Catholic masses she attended, but after the death of her father in Vietnam, she distanced herself from the Church. Years later, she rediscovered her love for the mass and sought to become a priest. In this conversation, she discusses with her colleague Linda Wilcox her ordination and immediate excommunication.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

John Marboe and Sonia Austen-Anifrani

May 29, 2015

More stories about: Christianity

John Marboe has three jobs: as a pastor, a university professor, and a garbage collector. His experiences in these professions has given him a wide breadth of insight into contemporary American life, structured as it is within what he sees as a "disposable society." In this conversation, Marboe discusses his work and spirituality with his university colleague Sonja Ausen-Anifrani.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

Kevin Stallo and Mike Moroski

June 7, 2014

More stories about: Catholicism Education

Mike Moroski was an assistant principal at a Catholic high school in Ohio before he was fired for publishing a blog post in support of same-sex marriage. In this conversation, Moroski joins former student Kevin Stallo, who was inspired to come out as gay because of the post, to discuss the connection between the Catholic faith and social justice.

This story was produced by David Dault at Sandburg Media, LLC.

Audio Scrubber
0:00
Audio Scrubber
0:00

0:00/0:00

Opens in a new window