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For more than four decades, the Holocaust Center has helped Central Floridians connect the
lessons of the Holocaust to their responsibilities today: recognizing antisemitism and other forms
of prejudice, resisting indifference and standing up for people targeted by hate. That work gives
our community a foundation for turning condemnation into action.
The Central Florida Pledge asks every signer to put those responsibilities into practice…
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Full page in the Sunday, August 16, 2026 edition of the Orlando Sentinel .
Get your FREE copy of the field guide ! Now available at CentralFloridaPledge.com/Book
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Lake Mary Life Magazine (Vol 24 Issue 4) July. - August
The Central Florida Pledge – a growing network that unites neighbors, leaders, and groups to stand up for a safer, more welcoming community – is making notable inroads in Seminole County. By signing The Pledge, people across all backgrounds commit to treating others with dignity, uniting against hate, and stepping up when needed – building a region where everyone feels they belong.
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FOX 35 Orlando - 6/1/26
(CLICK POST TITLE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW)
A recent study reveals that Gen Z is holding fast to their religious values into adulthood. To explore what this means, we sat down with local pastor Dr. Joel Hunter. He shares how new parents can build a faith foundation at home.
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(CLICK POST TITLE TO WATCH THE INVOCATION)
Pastor Joel Hunter delivered the invocation at the Grand Opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday, June 18. He co-led the opening prayer alongside Joshua DuBois, reflecting on the historical significance of the library's opening and offering a message of hope and civic reconciliation.
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Dr. Joel C. Hunter was honored to offer the Invocation for the State of the County annual address delivered by the Mayor of Orange County…
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The Hill - May 29, 2026
In early 2024, Hunter and the Ginsburg Family Foundation invited 150 civic and community leaders to devise a way forward. Their Central Florida Pledge aimed to help build “America’s most welcoming community” and keep “Central Florida a safe community for all who live here and for future generations.” It read as follows:
“I will lead by example—treating all people with dignity and respect, especially those with whom I disagree.
“I will refrain from inflammatory words and actions, and actively support those being attacked.
“I will report threatening incidents of hate and violence to 800-423-TIPS (8477).
“I will educate myself about all forms of discrimination, including antisemitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, racism, and help others in my circle of influence to do the same.”
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This year’s Easter Sunrise Service at Bayside Stadium at SeaWorld Orlando was a great celebration of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ! Worship with Jeremy Rosado and a powerful message from Dr. Joel C. Hunter made this Easter Sunrise Service truly special. There’s nothing like watching thousands come together in one place to celebrate the Resurrection!
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Orlando businessman and philanthropist Alan Ginsburg and Joel Hunter, chairman of The Central Florida Pledge, pose for a portrait together at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Both longtime community leaders are finalists for the Orlando Sentinel Central Floridian of the Year for their creation and stewardship of The Central Florida Pledge campaign. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando Voyager - September 30, 2025 (Click the title for full article including photos)
Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel C. Hunter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was involved in the Civil Rights movement as a college student in the 1960’s. From that experience, I went into church ministry, always having a heart for those who were being left out (like Jesus did). Since I had more of an interest in living out my faith outside the traditional church than inside, paradoxically, my congregations grew…
Dr. Joel C. Hunter is the Pastor of Community Benefit at Action Church, a multi-site congregation based in Winter Park and his one-minute daily devotionals can be heard worldwide on Z88 radio. He is the Chairman of the Central Florida Pledge campaign; a call to action for residents of Central Florida who are tired of hateful discourse and want to create a safe and inclusive community for all. The pledge asks residents to commit to treating all people with kindness and respect, especially those with whom they disagree. To learn more: https://www.centralfloridapledge.com/
He is a nationally and internationally known advocate for the poor, the marginalized, and those dealing with disabilities. He served a three-year term as the Chairman of Central Florida’s Commission on Homelessness. And, after 32 years as the senior pastor of Longwood, Florida’s Northland Church’s congregation of 20,000, he spent five years leading a non-profit in networking with churches and local charities to locate available resources and benefit the struggling in our community. Orlando Magazine highlighted his efforts naming him as the #1 most powerful voice for philanthropy and community engagement. And listed him among “Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful” six years in a row.
Approaching today’s challenges in a biblical and balanced manner, Dr. Hunter is neither partisan nor politically oriented, but often relates to public officials in a pastoral role; he served as a spiritual advisor to President Obama during his eight years in office.
Dr. Hunter has served in leadership roles of the World Evangelical Alliance, serving more than 600 million evangelicals, and the National Association of Evangelicals, serving more than 40 denominations and thousands of churches.
Married in 1972 to his wife, Becky, he is the father of three sons, grandfather of seven, and great-grandfather of two.
