Founder of renowned Homeboy Industries to keynote conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 16, 2018

Father Greg Boyle and two “Homeboys” speaking at Eastern Star Church 

Less than a month after the city’s most violent weekend in five years, the Faith & Action Project at Christian Theological Seminary is offering Indianapolis residents a chance to be inspired by Father Greg Boyle, the Los Angeles Jesuit priest who founded the largest program for formerly incarcerated and gang-involved people in the world.

Boyle’s message of offering hope, boundless compassion and jobs comes at a time when Indianapolis is struggling with poverty and increased violence. During the first weekend in April, the city was home to seven deaths by gunfire, and the city’s monthly murder rate is above the average of the past four years. Community leaders have attributed much of the violence to poverty, or, as one local pastor put it, “a lack of hope.”

The public is invited to hear Boyle speak free of charge at the Faith & Action Project Conference on May 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Boyle wrote the New York Times bestselling Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, as well as Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship.

The Jesuit priest is a brilliant storyteller with a wicked sense of humor. His spiritual drive is so powerful that it virtually radiates from him. In all that he does – even as he tells a hilarious story or offers details about the successful work at Homeboy Industries in one of L.A.’s most gang-ridden neighborhoods – you can tell that this is a man whose heart breaks over the pain of those who too often are left behind by society.

“Father Boyle’s loving heart and use of relationships and jobs are so inspiring and key to why we wanted to bring him to Indianapolis,” said Lindsey Rabinowitch, project director of the Faith & Action Project. “We’re also excited to hear from two young men – who Father Boyle refers to as ‘Homeboys’ – who have participated in Homeboy programs.”

The conference takes place at Eastern Star Church, which is home to the ROCK (Renewing Our Community for the Kingdom) Initiative, which has received two Faith & Action Project grants. Eastern Star Executive Director of Ministries Nancy Rogers will speak about the ROCK Initiative’s work with neighborhood residents and community partners to improve the quality of life in the 46218 zip code, where 38.2 percent of residents live at or below the poverty line. Eastern Star has 10,000 members across three campuses in metro Indy.

WHAT:          Faith & Action Project Conference featuring Homeboy Industries Founder Father Greg Boyle

WHEN:         May 2, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Eastern Star Church, 5750 30^th Street, Indianapolis.

COST:           Free but registration is required at https://pushbackpoverty2019.eventbrite.com.

About the Faith & Action Project

The Faith & Action Project at Christian Theological Seminary is dedicated to helping to spark a revolution of hope by leveraging resources of communities of faith to connect, inspire and empower lasting solutions for people confronting poverty. Through annual public events and grants, the Faith & Action Project seeks to ignite a solution-oriented movement for inclusive well-being in our community. The Faith & Action Project is supported by the Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund and Lumina Foundation. www.cts.edu/faith-action-project/

Social media

@FaithActionIndy on Facebook and Twitter

#faspring19 conference hashtag

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NOTE:  We are unsure at this time whether Father Boyle will be available for media interviews before or after the conference. Please let us know if you are interested in interviewing him, and we’ll try to accommodate.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Schmits Thomas, [email protected], 317-441-2487