Promoting Understanding Through Faith and Unity

1980

• Dr. Gary Cook invited the community to discuss forming a Waco chapter of The Conference of Christians and Jews (Waco CCJ), which originated in Arkansas. 
• The Waco chapter of The Conference of Christians and Jews met for the first time on March 6, 1980. 
• In September, Baylor University hosted the first event: Holocaust Remembrance. 

1981

• Judge Abner McCall chaired the first annual dinner.   

1982

• Dr. James Wood spoke at a Waco CCJ event about the dangers of the Ku Klux Klan. 
• Waco CCJ held its second annual dinner, hosted by Bernard Rappaport. Senator Frank Church was the guest speaker.

1983

• Waco CCJ established the “Tour of Understanding.” Rodef Shalom, a local Jewish synagogue, hosted the first “Tour of Understanding,” which was open to the public. 
• Monsignor Mark Deering chaired the third annual dinner. 
• The Humanitarian of the Year award went to Bernard Rappaport. 
• Dr. Gary Cook initiated Rabbi Podet as the second president.

1984

• The “Tour of Understanding” took members to St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church. 
• Mr. Jarrell McCraken hosted the fourth annual dinner in October with Mrs. Evelyn Hoffman honored as Humanitarian of the Year. The attendees enjoyed a theatre production of “Masada” with actress Jeannette Clift George. 
• Waco CCJ inducted Monsignor Mark Deering as the third president.

2022

• In September, the Conference of Christians and Jews officially became known as the Greater Waco Interfaith Conference (GWIC). 
• At this time, members representing Islam, Hinduism, and the Baha’i Faith joined GWIC.

2025

• The Baha'i Faith of Waco hosted World Religion Day on January 19, 2025, at the Providence Pavilion.