Emmanuel Academies hosted author and pastor Angela Denker for a special speaking engagement
Emmanuel Academies hosted Angela Denker on February 5 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church as part of a special series. Denker, a veteran journalist and Lutheran pastor, discussed the topic “Finding Hope in a Divided Country” — balancing personal, religious, and national commitments and talked about her experiences while writing her recent book. She spoke about the challenging balance of civil discourse regarding religious commitments and beliefs, along with national and political commitments and understandings.
Denker traveled the country listening and speaking with voters, especially Christian voters in red counties, for more than a year following the presidential elections in 2016. The result of her research was a compilation of stories of individuals, families and communities which was published by Fortress Press in August 2019. The book is titled: Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump.
The event was open to the community and the goal was to foster empathy and dialogue, as well as provide an opportunity for engagement, conversation and understanding for personal growth and national renewal.
Denker is no stranger to the Naples area as she was a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News from 2007 to 2009. She received awards from the Florida Press Association for her work. She earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and was ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She has since lead communities of faith in Glenview, IL, Yorba Linda, CA and in and around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis. She has also written for many additional publications over the past decade, including Sojourners, The Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated to name a few.
Emmanuel Academies’ mission is to create leaders for Christian service within diversified communities, providing opportunities for educational development, vocational training and, through a 5-Year Pastoral Leadership Degree (BA + MDiv) program, Pastoral leadership and ordination. For more information about Emmanuel Academies, please contact Howard Isaacson at 508-622-5533 or visit https://www.emmanueled.org.
