Kansas

Summit for Religious Freedom

Wichita Kansas

Thursday, October 23, 2025

9 am - 4 pm

Religious Freedom: 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.

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.

Rodney Ames

Rodney Ames is an Area Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to his
church service, Elder Ames is an attorney/partner with, Withers, Brant, Igoe & Mullennix, P.C. in Liberty
Missouri.

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.

Everyone is invited to the Religious Freedom Summit

What: Kansas Summit for Religious Freedom
When: October 23, 2025, 9 am-1 pm
Where: Wichita Marriott 9100 E. Corporate Hills Dr., Wichita, KS
Contact: Nick Xidis

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.

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