Holocaust Remembrance: April 23, 2025. See our Events page!

Greater Waco Interfaith Conference (GWIC)
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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • History
      • Executive Board
      • Board Members
    • Religions & Faiths
      • Our Religions and Faiths
      • Resources
    • Events
      • Events 2025
      • Past Events
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer
      • Support GWIC Work
      • Membership
      • Donate Now
    • Contact Us
      • Email Sign Up
      • Contact Us
Greater Waco Interfaith Conference (GWIC)
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Board Members
  • Religions & Faiths
    • Our Religions and Faiths
    • Resources
  • Events
    • Events 2025
    • Past Events
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Support GWIC Work
    • Membership
    • Donate Now
  • Contact Us
    • Email Sign Up
    • Contact Us

Promoting Understanding Through Faith and Unity

mosaic with these words: tolerance, equality, diversity, respect, justice; various colors

GWIC Mission

At the Greater Waco Interfaith Conference, we strive to foster understanding and respect among diverse religions and faiths. By hosting inclusive events, we aim to educate the community about various faiths and promote a culture of unity.

GWIC: Brief History

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. 

GWIC: Executive Board Members 2025

Mary Cunningham, President

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Baha'i Faith of Waco

Hazel Rowe, Secretary

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Brenda Khozein, Treasurer

Second Missionary Baptist

Brenda Khozein, Treasurer

Fuad Khozein, Vice President

Brenda Khozein, Treasurer

Baha'i Faith of Waco

GWIC: Board Members 2025

Jane Bounds

Kirit Daftary

Kirit Daftary

Temple Rodef Sholom, Reform Judaism

Kirit Daftary

Kirit Daftary

Kirit Daftary

Jainism

Margo Ford

Kirit Daftary

Judith Hardy

Unity Spiritual Center

Judith Hardy

Kirit Daftary

Judith Hardy

Central Presbyterian Church of Waco

Kevin Lane

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS)

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller

Brew Theology

Al Siddiq

Ryan Miller

Lynn Tatum

Islamic Center of Waco

Lynn Tatum

Ryan Miller

Lynn Tatum

Baylor University

Cindy Wood

Alec Ylitalo

Alec Ylitalo

Temple Rodef Sholom, Reform Judaism

Alec Ylitalo

Alec Ylitalo

Alec Ylitalo

Richfield Christian

Laurel Zeiss

Alec Ylitalo

Laurel Zeiss

Society of Friends (Quaker)

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