Good God Project

From DACA to Dallas: Sandra Avalos on Faith and Immigration Organizing

How does someone move from living in the shadows to leading in the light? In this episode, Sandra Avalos shares how her experience as a DACA recipient shaped her calling as a community organizer and advocate for immigrant families. She and her church, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal in Dallas, have built a network of allies accompanying migrants through court hearings and confronting the human cost of our immigration system. Her story shows how faith can take shape in the small, brave acts of showing up for others—acts that quietly push back against fear and make room for dignity to take root.

Sandra Avalos is a Dallas-based community organizer, DACA recipient, and leader with Vecinos Unidos DFW and St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church.

advocacy, Faith, Immigration, interfaithGood God ProjectOctober 23, 2025Dallas, Justice, Immigration, Faith

Faith Over Fear: Rev. Eric Folkerth on Prayer, Immigration, and Moral Courage

As fear and tension rise around immigration enforcement in North Texas, Rev. Eric Folkerth has helped lead an interfaith clergy vigil outside the Dallas ICE field office—an act of prayerful presence in the face of injustice.

In this episode of Good God, George Mason talks with Rev. Folkerth about what happens at these weekly gatherings, how they began, and why he believes prayer can be both faithful and prophetic. Together they discuss the growing anxiety among immigrants, the tragic shooting that drew national attention to the Dallas ICE facility, and the moral toll of policies that harm both migrants and public servants.

Grounded in scripture and compassion, their conversation calls people of faith to resist fear, welcome the stranger, and embody moral courage in public life.

Rev. Eric Folkerth is senior pastor of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. A longtime minister, musician, and activist, he’s known for his work at the intersection of faith and justice.

advocacy, Faith, Immigration, interfaithGood God ProjectOctober 9, 2025Dallas, Justice, Immigration, Interfaith, Faith

From Private Equity to Public Good: Peter Brodsky on Housing and Hope

Peter Brodsky wasn’t always a real estate developer—but when he saw an opportunity to use his business experience to help transform southern Dallas, he stepped in. In this season finale of Good God, George Mason speaks with Peter about his work at the Shops at Redbird, his leadership at Housing Forward, and why homelessness, food access, and affordable housing demand both moral clarity and practical solutions.

Together, they explore the structural causes of poverty, the challenge of changing public narratives, and how Peter’s Jewish faith and commitment to tikkun olam—repairing the world—have shaped his decision to invest his time, money, and energy in building a more equitable city.

Peter Brodsky is a Dallas-based philanthropist, real estate investor, and chair of the board of Housing Forward, the lead agency coordinating homelessness response in Dallas and Collin counties.

advocacy, equality, homelessnessGood God ProjectMay 15, 2025Dallas, Poverty, Housing, Justice

Mark Melton Didn’t Plan to Fight Evictions—Until He Had To

When the COVID-19 pandemic upended lives and livelihoods, attorney Mark Melton found himself unexpectedly answering thousands of questions about eviction law—and discovered just how broken the system really was. In this episode, George talks with Mark about the origins of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, the legal myths we cling to, and why ensuring due process for all renters is both a legal and moral imperative. They also explore the intersection of law, poverty, politics, and personal values—whether grounded in faith or not.

Mark Melton is a Dallas-based tax attorney and founder of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to tenants facing eviction.

advocacy, COVID-19, povertyGood God ProjectApril 3, 2025Housing, Eviction, Justice

This Is Going to Hurt: Faith, Division, and Radical Love with Bekah McNeel

In this episode of Good God, George Mason sits down with journalist Bekah McNeel to discuss her latest book, This Is Going to Hurt: Following Jesus in a Divided America. Together, they explore the profound intersections of faith, suffering, and public life, challenging us to move beyond binaries and embrace self-sacrificial love in the face of division. From reframing stories about immigration and race to understanding the call of the cross as a daily act of radical compassion, Bekah invites listeners to go deeper into their convictions and rethink what it means to love their neighbors.

Bekah McNeel is a San Antonio-based journalist and storyteller who writes on education, faith, and society for publications such as Texas Monthly, Sojourners, and Christianity Today.

Faith, Christianity, politicsGood God ProjectJanuary 7, 2025Faith, Justice, Compassion