November 8, 2015 - In Defense of Christians

November 8th, 2015
IDC Chapters Continue to Grow with Activities in DC, California, and Denver
IDC in Washington DC
On October 30th the Franciscan University Center for Leadership invited IDC to give the keynote address at
their regional event. IDC Executive Director Kirsten Evans and Senior Advisor Jordan Allott spoke to the
crowd about the plight of the Christian community in the Middle East and the work and mission of IDC in their
defense, encouraging the gathering of Catholic leaders to engage their communities and spheres of influence
for the cause of awareness and advocacy for Christians in the Middle East.
IDC in California
On November 2nd St. Anne’s Melkite Cathedral in Los Angeles hosted an IDC informational gathering for the
greater Los Angeles ecumenical community. Over one hundred people were in attendance. The meeting was
presided over by Father Fouad Michel Sayegh, pastor of St. Anne’s Cathedral and Dr. Eli Ayoub, interim
chairman of the IDC Los Angeles chapter. Many other members of the leadership committee of the IDC Los
Angeles chapter presented at the meeting and spoke to the plans of IDC in the region. IDC Executive Director
Kirsten Evans joined the meeting to present on the activities and goals of IDC on a national level. Participants
left enthusiastic for the mission of IDC and committed to expanding the reach and scope of the IDC Los
Angeles chapter to the greater Christian community in the area.
Pictures of presenters and participants at the IDC informational night at St. Anne's Melkite Cathedral in Los
Angeles on November 2nd.
While in the Los Angeles, IDC Executive Director Kirsten Evans was able to meet with a handful of religious
leaders from Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, and Maronite communities to present the aim and goals of IDC
and ask for their collaboration and support, including: Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin, Bishop of the Southwest California
Synod of the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA); Senior Pastor Jim Welch of Peninsula Community
Church in Rancho Palos Verdes; Fr. Alexi Smith, ecumenical officer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los
Angeles; and Father Toufic Nasr and members of St. Ephram’s Maronite Church in San Diego.
IDC Executive Director Kirsten Evans meets with Bishop Guy Erwin and Pastor Kenny Bowen, ecumenical
officer, of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA).
IDC in Colorado
On November 1st IDC Executive Director visited the nascent IDC chapter in Denver Colorado, to strategize on
its growth in the local community. Accompanying Brett Mareno, interim chairman of the IDC Denver Chapter,
they met with Father Andre Mahanna, Pastor of St. Rafka’s Maronite Church, and members of the directive
team of St. Rafka’s Mission for Hope, a project supporting aid and ministry to Christians in the Middle
East. They also met with representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, including the Director of
Communications and members of the leadership team of the Catholic Young Professionals network.
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IDC Denver Chapter interim chairman Brett Mareno and Executive Director Kirsten Evans meet with Father
Andre of St. Rafka's Maronite Parish and representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese in Denver, Colorado.
In Defense of Christians (IDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to heighten awareness among
policymakers and the general public of the existence of ancient and often persecuted minority communities in the Middle East,
particularly Christians. IDC will also conduct policy advocacy for vulnerable Christians and other religious minorities. Find out more
about our organization at www.indefenseofchristians.org