Orlando Sentinel - By Silas Morgan November 10, 2026

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma hosted a large gathering of Central Florida religious leaders Tuesday as they announced the launch of a new faith-based program to address youth mental health in the region — which they hope can help make up for coming budget cuts caused by Amendment 3.The Mind Your Faith program, run by local nonprofit Breaking Thru, aims to help congregations and faith groups equip parents with important mental health knowledge about the challenges their kids are facing.

Joel Hunter, a longtime Republican and former spiritual adviser to President Obama, discusses his new book and how to navigate political differences without sacrificing relationships. Click the title to listen!

Sanford Herald (10-26-26). Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc., in partnership with Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine, is proud to announce a special award to be presented at the third annual EMERALD AWARDS, A Salute to Black Excellence in Seminole County. Dr. Joel Hunter, Pastor of Community Benefit at Action Church, Chairman of the Central Florida Pledge, former Chairman of Central Florida’s Commission on Homelessness, and spiritual advisor to President Barack Obama, will be the first recipient of the Champion of Humanity Award. 

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…

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.

(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.

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.”