By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Donald T. Eason

What would happen if the people who know the daily struggles of America’s inner‑city neighborhoods were given a seat at the table with federal policymakers? Donald T. Eason, president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, believes that bringing clergy together in Washington, D.C., can change that dynamic.

The Clergy Summit as a Strategic Hub

The National Clergy Summit, organized by Cure America, is positioned as the centerpiece of the organization’s clergy program. Torrey Snow, the National Clergy Director, explains that the event is designed to surround pastors with a “similar worldview” and connect them with leading thinkers for three days of fellowship and instruction. The summit’s location in the nation’s capital is intentional: it offers clergy direct access to policymakers, a rarity for many urban pastors.

“It is vital to the mission of the Cure Clergy Program that we continue to do this summit,” Snow says, emphasizing that the gathering serves as a conduit for pastors to voice concerns and receive answers from officials such as HUD Secretary Scott Turner.

Faith Leaders vs. Government‑Driven Solutions

During the conversation, Eason and Snow critique the prevailing reliance on government programs to address poverty. They argue that many policy ideas stem from elite academic circles disconnected from on‑the‑ground realities. Snow warns that “these ideas sound great… but they foster a thought process of government dependence.”

The duo contends that the church, particularly urban pastors, is uniquely positioned to counteract this dependency. Pastors encounter the consequences of failed policies daily, from housing instability to substance‑abuse crises, and they are therefore the “touchstones of our society.”

A Partnership with HUD, Not a Handout

Despite their criticism of federal assistance, the hosts highlight a collaborative relationship with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. When HUD Secretary Scott Turner attended a previous summit, he answered a pastor’s direct question about how the agency could help urban communities. According to Snow, Turner’s response reinforced the idea that government should “support” rather than create “more subsistence.”

“The goal isn’t to create more subsistence. The goal is to help people become independent,” Snow notes, underscoring the organization’s emphasis on personal responsibility alongside limited, targeted government aid.

Reclaiming Black History as Empowerment

A memorable session at the summit featured historian David Barton, who presented a narrative that challenges prevailing historical interpretations such as the 1619 Project. He highlighted early examples of black leadership and community respect, illustrating that “there was a whole community of white people elected a black minister… they loved him.”

Snow argues that this forgotten history is a tool pastors can use to inspire pride and self‑reliance among congregants, countering narratives that portray black communities solely as victims of systemic oppression.

Building a Network of Resilient Leaders

The summit also serves as a morale‑boosting forum. Pastors report feeling intimidated by political forces that threaten to penalize churches for advocating self‑reliance. By gathering “dozens and dozens of other pastors,” the event creates a collective front that discourages intimidation and reinforces a shared commitment to faith‑based solutions.

Snow concludes that the summit provides practical tools—historical education, policy insight, and a supportive network—that empower clergy to lead their communities out of dependency and toward sustainable prosperity.

In sum, the Cure America clergy summit represents a deliberate effort to fuse faith, policy engagement, and historical awareness in the fight against urban poverty. By equipping pastors with knowledge and connections, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education hopes to shift the narrative from reliance on government handouts to a model rooted in personal responsibility and community empowerment.

The full episode of Cure America is available on OBBM Network TV.