Kansas
Summit for Religious Freedom
To be announced Fall 2026...
Will be in conjunction with
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Wichita Kansas Temple Open house
Religious Liberty and Human Flourishing Summit
Finding a Better Way
In a pluralistic society, political conflicts are inevitable, but many take an all-or-nothing approach. For example, some entire faith communities are labeled as bigots for expressing their beliefs, while other groups fail to appreciate marginalized communities and their struggle for basic human rights.
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There is a better way to resolve differences without compromising core values. We need to live together in peace and mutual respect, which fosters the conditions for human flourishing.
Religious Freedom and Human Flourishing
Research from the Global Human Flourishing Study, which analyzed data from over 200 countries across a 20-year period, found that religious service attendance is strongly associated with human flourishing. Faith plays a significant role in well-being of people around the world.
Event Speakers Include
Micah Fries
Micah has served over 21 years in Christian ministry including 14 years as a Senior Pastor in Tennessee & Missouri and worked as a Christian minister in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Hannah Smith
Hannah Smith joined the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) in 2023 as Associate Director, bringing a lifetime of service dedicated to religious liberty.
Lance Kinzner
As Director of Policy and Government Relations, Lance Kinzer works with legislators, representatives of diverse faith communities, nonprofits, and public policy groups to advance religious liberty legislation at the state-level. Together, they formulate and implement legislative strategies that fit the specific needs and political realities of each state.
The Summit
The Summit will explore the ties between religious liberty and human flourishing. In every respect humans do
better in communities and nations where there is a wide range of beliefs and free exercise of religious
expression.
Kansas Alliance Objectives
Explore
Explore the connection between participation in religious worship and human flourishing.
Review Rights
Review legal principals that guarantee everyone's rights under First Amendment to the US Constitution.
Improve
Improve the understanding among community leaders that religious liberty protects everyone in a civilsociety, not just faith communities, and is a precursor to human flourishing.
Live Peacefully
Foster understanding that, as fellow citizens, we need each other. Living in a diverse community will require us to accept some laws we dislike and to live peacefully with some persons whose values differ from our own.
What: Kansas Summit for Religious Freedom
When: October 23, 2025, 9 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Wichita Marriott 9100 E. Corporate Hills Dr., Wichita, KS
Lunch: We kindly ask that all guests RSVP by Saturday, October 18, to be included in the lunch count. Lunch will be provided for those who register in advance.
The event is open to all, and we warmly welcome anyone interested to attend. However, please note that lunch will only be available to registered participants. Guests who attend without prior registration are welcome to make their own lunch arrangements.
About the Kansas Alliance
Kansas Religious Freedom Chair
Nick Xidis
Nick is a software development executive, but on the side he is passionate about community and connection. Religion is at the heart of building community and working together with all of the religions in the area will always be at the heart of issues in the state and the nation.
Chair of the Religious Freedom Alliance Council
Bill Benac
As National Chairman of the Religious Freedom Alliance Council, Bill spearheads efforts to protect and promote this fundamental right nationwide.
Join Us
At this summit, you will gain a deeper understanding between religious liberty and human flourishing. We will explore the legal principles of the First Amendment that are designed to guarantee rights for everyone. You will become more equipped with the knowledge to help community leaders understand that religious liberty is not just for faith communities, but a strengthens civil society for everyone.
