Community Renewal Society

Rev. Dr. Jorge L. Morales

is the Conference Minister of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ. His ministry has included church planting and renewal, stewardship and the wider mission of the church. Dr Morales has contributed to the establishment of a number of community organizations, programs and helping strengthen local community infra-structure. While in seminary he contributed to the establishment of the Latino Ministries Program at McCormick Theological Seminary, later consulted with Garrett Theological Seminary on Latino Studies and served as adjunct faculty in both institutions and at Elmhurst College. In the mid 1970's and early 80's he engaged in citizen participation and organizing that led to the election of several African Americans and Latinos officials and served on Harold Washington's Elections and Re-election Committees. He was a plaintiff in the Kitchum vs. Byrne gerrymandering case decided in the Supreme Court, which changed the political make-up of the City of Chicago, giving added representation to African Americans and Latinos in government. Dr. Morales is a member of First Congregational Church/Primera Iglesia Congregacional, Chicago