Jack Jenkins
Jack Jenkins is a national reporter for RNS based in Washington, covering the intersection of religion and politics as well as U.S. Catholics. He is the author of “American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country.” Before joining RNS in 2018, Jenkins was senior religion reporter at the Washington-based ThinkProgress. Jenkins was an RNS reporting intern in 2011 and later blogged for RNS. His work has appeared or been referenced in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, MSNBC and elsewhere. After graduating from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and religion/philosophy, Jack received his Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University with a focus on Christianity, Islam and the media. Jenkins is based in Washington, D.C.
All Stories by Jack Jenkins
Trump’s abortion pivot hasn’t shaken evangelical Christian leaders’ support
By Jack Jenkins — September 6, 2024
(RNS) — 'I don’t just consider a candidate’s words, I look at their actions and what they have done,' said the Rev. Franklin Graham.
Harris-Walz campaign hires the Rev. Jen Butler, longtime activist, to lead faith outreach
By Jack Jenkins — August 28, 2024
(RNS) — A familiar face among Washington’s faith-based activists, Butler said she brings ‘a broad set of relationships that I think can help, very quickly, pull a broad coalition together’ in a foreshortened Harris campaign.
The man Biden calls ‘my rabbi’ on what it’s like to offer a prayer at the DNC
By Jack Jenkins — August 22, 2024
(RNS) — ‘You have to consider people of different faiths, different political persuasions when you give a benediction,’ said Rabbi Michael Beals. ‘You’re representing the Holy One.’
Faith abounds at the Democratic National Convention, but don’t be surprised
By Jack Jenkins — August 20, 2024
(RNS) — Trump staffers have called the left ‘godless,’ but this year’s DNC painted a very different picture.
Christians, evangelicals rally for Kamala Harris ahead of DNC
By Jack Jenkins — August 16, 2024
(RNS) — 'Voting Kamala … (is) a vote against another four years of faith leaders justifying the actions of a man who destroys the message Jesus came to spread,' said Jerushah Duford, granddaughter of the Rev. Billy Graham.
Five faith facts about Harris pick Tim Walz, a ‘Minnesota Lutheran’ Dad
By Jack Jenkins — August 6, 2024
(RNS) — If elected, Walz would be either the first or second Lutheran vice president of the United States, depending on how you count it.
Interfaith protest confronts Christians United for Israel summit
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain and Jack Jenkins — July 30, 2024
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (RNS) — For nearly three days in and around Washington, D.C., an interfaith coalition challenged the pro-Israel messaging of pastor John Hagee and CUFI.
As Netanyahu addresses Congress, protests rock Capitol
By Jack Jenkins — July 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As Netanyahu slammed protesters in front of Congress, thousands gathered outside, many accusing him of war crimes.
As Netanyahu arrives in DC, hundreds of Jews protest for arms embargo against Israel
By Jack Jenkins — July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The protesters wore red shirts reading ‘Jews say stop arming Israel.’
More than 200 Christian leaders sign letter calling for cease-fire in Gaza
By Chloë-Arizona Fodor and Jack Jenkins — July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The letter comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the U.S., where he is expected to address Congress on Wednesday and meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday.
Amos Brown, pastor to Kamala Harris, known for civil rights, reparations activism
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — July 23, 2024
(RNS) — Vice President Kamala Harris has praised Brown, ‘my pastor,’ as a man who also has long been her mentor.
Activists, religious leaders say Democrats pressing Biden to bow out should respect ‘process’
By Jack Jenkins — July 19, 2024
(RNS) — 'We are troubled by anti-democratic efforts within the Democratic Party to subvert the established processes to achieve someone’s idea of the most electable ticket,' the letter reads.
Conservatives balk at Sikh prayer, but diverse religious voices are a convention tradition
By Jack Jenkins — July 17, 2024
Monday wasn’t even the first time Harmeet Kaur Dhillon has offered a Sikh prayer at an RNC gathering, nor was she the first to do so.
At RNC, an uneven, awkward embrace of religious pluralism
By Jack Jenkins — July 16, 2024
(RNS) — As a Republican official led a Sikh prayer, images of Christian crosses flashed behind her.
Five faith facts about Trump’s VP pick, JD Vance
By Jack Jenkins and Aleja Hertzler-McCain — July 15, 2024
(RNS) — If Trump is elected, Vance would be the second Catholic vice president in US history — after Joe Biden.
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