Inspired by the Hebrew prophet Micah's call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God, Micah convenes, educates and organizes New York City multi-faith leaders to create and use a coordinated, cohesive and collective prophetic voice to build a movement to fight poverty and injustice
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MICAH: Deep Solidarity
and a Horizon of Hope In response to the call of Hebrew prophet Micah to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God,” (Micah 6:8) the Micah Institute at the Interfaith Center of New York seeks to educate New York City faith leaders on issues of social and economic equity and racial justice; to equip faith leaders with the tools to serve as responsible change agents for positive social transformation and effective movement-building; and to act as a powerful interfaith coalition of moral voices that challenges our culture to continually act in the best interest of all the people regardless of their race, creed, economic position, sexual orientation or faith tradition. It is vital in these days of division and despair, that we build deep solidarity and create a horizon of hope. Solidarity is forging deep connections for the common good. It is only when individuals and institutions of conscience work together that we will see the deep cultural change that is need for lasting social transformation. Through our educational programs, monthly faith leaders lunch, and issue-based campaigns, the Micah Institute seeks to create transitional spaces for people of different races, genders and religions to come together to create a collective vision for the welfare of all humankind. By building solidarity through our collective work together, we confront that part of the spirit of individualism that stands in opposition to the overall well-being of the community. We can only become who we are truly meant to be as a society through working together for the common good. The Micah Institute has a three-pronged approach: We EDUCATE: The Micah Institute partners with New York Theological Seminary in a Doctor of Ministry Degree track in Transformational Leadership and Faith-Rooted Organizing. Each year 12 students are admitted to program to focus on faith-rooted organizing that will have an impact on local, national or global issues of social justice concern. Students engage in intensive theological study at the doctoral level and are required to defend a demonstration project that will have a significant impact on an issue affecting poor and disenfranchised communities. We EQUIP: We seek to provide a range of training programs to equip faith leaders including: seminars on key topics of faith and social and economic justice; study sessions that prepare faith leaders to proclaim justice through preaching, teaching, leading worship, and faith-rooted organizing through our annual “Faith-Rooted Organizing Teach-In.” These programs are “on ramps” to a vibrant justice network connecting the faith community, the academy and the city. We ACT: The Micah Institute is home to the Micah Faith Table NYC, a membership organization that provides strategizing and organizing space for NYC clergy leaders representing all five boroughs of New York. We develop and implement a faith-rooted legislative and policy agenda with recommendations to the Mayor and local districts in the areas of education, affordable housing, immigration, policing/community safety and economic justice. Micah Faith Table NYC is co-convened by Rev. Raymond Rivera, founder and President of the Latino Pastoral Action Center and Rev. Michael Walrond, Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church. The Faith Table is an unprecedented coalition of leaders – interfaith, interdenominational and interracial – share a common commitment to building and sustaining a city-wide faith-rooted movement for justice. In July of 2017 the Micah Institute entered into a partnership with the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), increasing dialogue with the multi-faith communities of New York City, diversifying its membership from a faith perspective and broadening its interfaith organizing actions. |
MICAH's Leadership Team
Rev. Joel A. Gibson Director 
Rev. Dr. Peter Goodwin Heltzel Founding Director 
Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera Co-Convener 
Rev. Michael Walrond, Jr. Co-Convener |