EP 47: "Raise Your Voice" featuring Pastor, Author, and Community Activist Dr. Jaime Kowlessar

Resist. Redeem. Reclaim. Renew. These are the four words, Dr. Kowlessar lives by, and he uses his knowledge, experience and passion to lead workshops and training sessions at various churches, schools and businesses, on how to develop and implement a sustainable ministry that speaks to the spiritual and social conditions in our world. Dr. Kowlessar has relentlessly pursued community activism and involvement, challenging the church to heed the call of Christ to be relevant and present in the lives of those in need. As a native New Yorker and a transplant to the south, Jaime Kowlessar has seen and experienced a range of injustices, and believes it is the call of God’s Church to be His hands and feet in the earth to make the crooked paths, straight. Being a voice for the communities he serves has compelled him to become a stu- dent of people and the scriptures. He has an undergraduate degree in theology from Atlantic Union College, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University, a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, and is currently working on his PhD in Public Policy and Social Change. Dr. Kowlessar serves as the Senior Pastor of Dallas City Temple, a congregation that gathers at the doorstep of injustice in the heart of Southern Dallas. As pastor, he leads in the effort to fight inequality by joining with community and local church leaders to implement strategies that improve the economic, educational and spiritual conditions in the Cedar Crest community. He works with the Clergy Table for Faith in Texas which leads and appoints a diverse band of clergy — Catholics, Muslims, Jews, and Christians — to fight against injustice. His thoughts can be read as an op-ed writer for the Dallas Morning News, and a frequent contributor to books and publications on race, equality and social justice. He is also the author of "Justice or Just Us: Sermons and Reflections on the Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness," and "How to Put the Neighbor Back in the Hood. " For more information, follow his journey at https://www.raiseyourvoice.academy/home. Music: “This Far” by Levite Music featuring Davone Ministry courtesy of BMT Records