Recent Articles
Civic Engagement
Voting: A Matter of Faith with Rabbi Joshua Fixler
In anticipation of Texas Impact’s Houston Faith Votes Kick-off Events on 8/20, 8/26, and 8/27 (register here), I am speaking with several faith leaders across Houston. Through these dialogues, faith leaders explore why voting is vital for their community, and why it’s...
Voting: A Matter of Faith with Kim Mabry
In anticipation of Texas Impact’s Houston Faith Votes Kick-off Events on 8/20, 8/26, and 8/27 (register here), I am speaking with several faith leaders across Houston. Through these dialogues, faith leaders explore why voting is vital for their community, and why it’s...
DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023: Bipartisan Immigration Reform Based on “Biblical Principles of Dignity and Redemption”
TLDR: Migrant asylum encampment conditions worsen in Northern Mexico as migrants are forced to wait for CBP One appointments among other "legal walls" that they are subjected to. On the other hand, there is a proposed Bipartisan Immigration Reform bill introduced by...
Climate Justice
Energy Efficiency Presents Opportunity for Grid Stability
Severe thunderstorms slammed into Houston Thursday evening bringing winds upwards of hurricane force over a large section of densely populated Harris County. The storms knocked down trees and crumpled electrical utility towers, knocking out power for 40% of residents....
International Religious Freedom: Fighting for the Common Good
Guest blog post by Rev. Mel Caraway and Rev. Phil DiekeWe had a great meeting today with a delegation from Tajikistan on "International Religious Freedom." Their visit was sponsored by the Department of State and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. ...
Action through Connection: Finding Hope through Nature
Living in Texas has heightened one of my family’s hobbies in my life: birdwatching. Birdwatching used to be something we would do in my family when sitting down with my grandparents after church. We would chat and look at the chickadees and barn swallows grazing. Now...
Economic Justice
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out.
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 763, which gives public school districts the option to hire religiously affiliated chaplains. However, the bill provides no definition, job...
Moms Need 12 Months of Postpartum Medicaid
Now that HB 12 ensuring 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage is in the Senate, your congregation or group can help get the bill over the finish line...but there's no time to waste! Please use the model language below to help you draft your own letter—it would be...
Abortion 1-Pager: The Life of the Mother Matters
HB 1280, Texas’ abortion ban, which the Legislature passed in 2021 and went into effect in August 2022, creates an exception for cases when the pregnancy causes a "life threatening physical condition" that "places the female at risk of death or poses a serious risk of...
Human Rights
Reflecting on the SACReD Gathering 2024
This week, I spent time in New Orleans attending the SACReD Gathering 2024. SACReD, or the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, is an organization “collaborating to advance Reproductive Justice through congregational education, culture change,...
International Religious Freedom: Fighting for the Common Good
Guest blog post by Rev. Mel Caraway and Rev. Phil DiekeWe had a great meeting today with a delegation from Tajikistan on "International Religious Freedom." Their visit was sponsored by the Department of State and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. ...
Vidas Robadas – A State-wide Initiative
Gun Violence is a relatively new issue for Texas Impact. It wasn’t until the Ulvade Massacre in 2022 that our board and staff decided we had to prioritize gun violence. Despite our novelty in this issue, with the support of congregations from all over we have been...