Organizing Institutions

Global Ministries University (GMU) is an international online graduate school offering accessible courses, certificates, and graduate degrees in ministry, theology, interreligious studies, ethics, and peace studies. Its academic offerings include master’s and doctoral programs, specialized ministry certificates, chaplaincy studies, interfaith studies, and a Master of Theology in Religion and Science, which promotes interdisciplinary engagement among science, philosophy, theology, and diverse religious traditions. Guided by the values of inclusivity, human equality, and openness to different theological perspectives, GMU prepares ethical and competent leaders while advancing interreligious dialogue, human solidarity, social justice, peace, and environmental responsibility.

Bay Area Cultural Connections (BAYCC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to improve the lives of youth, individuals, families, and communities through education, youth services, cultural exchange, and community engagement. Its educational work includes academic scholarships, weekend schools, student mentorship, career development, youth leadership, and programs for young professionals. BAYCC encourages its members to participate in volunteer service, meal-service programs, community initiatives, and social-uplift projects that respond to local needs. It also organizes summer and winter retreats, intercultural and interfaith gatherings, and community education events that connect people from diverse backgrounds and contribute to stronger, more inclusive communities.

Pacifica Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in California in 2003 to build positive connections, mutual understanding, and cooperation among diverse communities. Its mission centers on intercultural and interfaith understanding, civic engagement, community service, peacebuilding, and collaboration for the common good. Pacifica advances this work through public lectures, conferences, panel discussions, scriptural reasoning, dialogue and friendship dinners, cultural festivals, study-abroad programs, civic-engagement activities, and social-responsibility projects. Pacifica Institute creates spaces where people meet, listen, serve, and build lasting relationships.