In February 2009, President Obama appointed 25 prominent religious and community leaders to spend one year advising him on policy issues including global and domestic poverty, climate change, the promotion of responsible fatherhood, and interfaith cooperation. The panel also studied partnerships between the government and faith-based social service organizations. On March 9, the advisory council presented its final report, including more than 60 policy recommendations, to the president and senior administration officials. Watch several council members discuss their work, including Melissa Rogers, Wake Forest University Divinity School; Jim Wallis, Sojourners; Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Peg Chemberlin, National Council of Churches; and Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"