Posted: 12:37 PM ET(CNN) – President Obama will unveil a revamped office of Faith-Based Initiatives Thursday, and a new approach to the controversial program established by former President George Bush.
The office, tasked with steering federal funds to charitable organizations tied to churches and faith-based organizations, will be headed by Josh DuBois – a 26 year-old Pentecostal minister who was in charge of religious outreach for the Obama campaign.
According to a White House official, the basic structure of the office will remain the same as it was under Bush, but Obama is introducing a new component: an advisory council of 25 leaders — secular and religious — who will help inform the Office and provide advice on other policy issues.
According to a person familiar with the makeup of the council, some of the 25 members include:
–Rabbi David Saperstein, head of the DC Religious Action Center of Reform Judiasm
–Judith Vredenburgh, CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America
–Bishop Vashti McKenzie, first female Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
–The Rev. Joel Hunter, the senior pastor of Northland church in Orlando, Florida
–The Rev. Frank Page, the conservative past president of the Southern Baptist ConventionThe official announcement of the revamped office is set to take place Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Call me un-shocked. Obama is a closet fundy, exploiting religion at his political convenience.
Then again, his entire economic policy so far has been a faith-based initiative. Hell, his whole presidency is.
Calling Rick Warren...President Obama holding for you.
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