Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute2022-12-01T14:20:15-05:00

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy

Worship, Workshops, and Action

Movement building is hard work. We can’t do it alone. One generation alone can’t get it done. We need each other, and we need deep spiritual sustenance to keep going and create the just world our children deserve. Hosted annually on the sacred grounds of CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, TN, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute is where faith leaders and activists sing and pray, strategize and struggle, organize and advocate. Proctor is where we share our stories—our hurts and hopes, our pain and passion for justice—in beloved community.

This powerful annual event refreshes and renews faith leaders so we can continue the hard, hopeful, sacred work of pursuing justice for children and ending child poverty.

At 2022 Proctor Institute, we asked participants to tell their senators to help families with rising costs by investing in child care. It’s not too late to take action. Our children and families need your support.

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Event Offerings

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry

Practicing Resurrection

Congregations participate in a rigorous curriculum that offers practical and scholarly resources and hands-on activities. The “Practicing Resurrection” program supports community engagement efforts to improve child and family well-being and advance justice.

Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary

Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary

In addition to participating in the full conference, seminarians spend the week engaging with and learning from the greatest theological minds of our time.

CDF Freedom Schools® at Proctor Institute

CDF Freedom Schools® site at Proctor Institute

Attendees with children can enjoy the full conference while their child spends the week experiencing the power of the CDF Freedom Schools program.

2022 Great Preacher Series

Candice Marie Benbow: multi-genre theologian and author of Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough.

Rev. Quincy James Rineheart: cisqueer, African American religious historian, Rustinian scholar, theologian, academic activist, and teacher.

Rev. Rich Havard: Program Officer for the Wayfarer Foundation

Rev. Dr. Neichelle Guidry: Dean of the Chapel and the Director of the WISDOM Center at Spelman College, and founder of Black Girl Black Coffee

“God did not make two classes of children and we do so at our peril.”

—Marian Wright Edelman

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Have questions about Proctor Institute? Contact Rev. Cherisna Jean-Marie at cjeanmarie@childrensdefense.org.