News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2003

July 11, 2003 Scott Lewis [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
Frank Boyd and his children, Jasmine, 10 months, and Deon, 3, attend the first night of the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries 31st Annual Conference at the Raleigh Civic and Convention Center. "After a long day of working it's good to settle down with the family," Boyd said. "It's good for the kids to raise them in a spiritual aspect. It's better than being at home watching TV." Boyd was one of thousands who came out for a week of evening gospel performances and daytime workshops. The ministries is a social service outreach organizaion that provides assistance to families in need. It's main sources of income are the conference and sales of Caesar's CDs and performances. "You never know what kind of blessing you get out of it," Boyd said. His mother loves Caesar but had to stay home due to illness. Caesar got the inspiration for the outreach ministries to help families in need during a Thanksgiving dinner more than 30 years ago.
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.

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