News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2002

May 24, 2002 Susana Vera [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
Contestants and attendants of a Garner rodeo bow their heads in prayer during a devotion lead by Cliff Lee, the president of the Cowboys for Christ, Heart of Carolina chapter. The national ministry reaches out to people in the livestock industry and has 16 chapters in North Carolina. "There are some really strong Christian riders at rodeos," Lee said. "I think it goes back to the original cowboy, who honors God and gets on his knees. I don't know where each person is at, but I know they know God. Many use their rides as a testimony. They praise God whether they win or lose."
About This Project


Ethan Hyman
"Acts of Faith" explores the different belief systems that co-exist in the Triangle area. Ten years of heavy migration has brought many new faiths to the region, turning the Bible Belt home of Billy Graham into a spiritual coat of many colors. Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples, Sikh Gurudwaras, synagogues and scores of Christian churches have become spiritual and social centers for a radically changing population. The demographic shift has pushed congregations to find innovative ways to keep their members while attracting new arrivals. "Acts of Faith" was born as a way to show this new religious diversity and analyze the role spirituality plays in people's daily lives.


Pailin Wedel
When covering an event for Acts of Faith, we look for situations that evoke strong emotion and try to bring readers into the moment. Though holidays and major celebrations are important, we also look for unexpected expressions of faith and quieter moments of solitary exploration. We hope to give readers insight into the breadth and depth of faith by showing how people incorporate it into their everyday lives.


Ted Richardson
For two years, Sher Stoneman and Susana Vera produced this column. In 2004, they handed it over to Ethan Hyman, Scott Lewis and Lisa Lauck. In 2005, Ted Richardson replaced Scott Lewis on this project. In 2006, Pailin Wedel replaced Lisa Lauck.

More photos: 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006

Member of the
Real Cities Network

A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company