Heading into my first 2025 Summit for Religious Freedom, I could feel it — that electric mix of passion, purpose and people fired up for justice. Americans United’s work was at the heart of it all, and from start to finish, one thing was crystal clear: the fight for religious freedom is more urgent than ever.
The energy in every session I helped host was vibrant. Both in person and online, attendees filled rooms, asked thoughtful, challenging questions and stayed engaged with speakers and each other long after each panel ended. I found myself repeatedly running out of time before I ran out of questions from attendees to answer. That level of curiosity, connection and shared purpose really defined the entire summit.
But SRF wasn’t just inspiring — it was intentional and strategic. A digital-first atmosphere helped ensure that everyone, from those in the room to those tuning in from across the country, felt connected. The SRF app personalized event scheduling and kept important updates at everyone’s fingertips. It also allowed seamless access to session materials and interactive evaluation forms. The virtual Q&A was prioritized in real time by session hosts, making sure every voice had the chance to be heard. And through video recordings and our SRF365 programming, we’ve ensured that these conversations will continue long after the summit.
We’ve heard from donors, longtime allies and first-time attendees alike: SRF 2025 was the most impactful yet. At a time when extremists are distorting religious freedom, our third annual summit reminded us of who we are, what we’re working for, and just how powerful we can be when we come together in hope, unity and action.