Intersections (with lunch) | Six things you should know about religion in Iowa politics

Six things you should know about religion in Iowa politics

Daniel Henderson
Author and educator

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MAY 1, 2026  |  11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids
** in-person event **

Iowa has become an incubator for Christian nationalist legislation that is being promoted through national affiliates of powerful groups. In our May Intersections presentation, Daniel Henderson will show how many in the Iowa GOP are networking with national Christian nationalist organizations to wage culture wars that erode the principles of a free democratic society. After having worked and lived on the inside of that movement for many years, he has a unique voice to reveal what is going on behind the scenes. Daniel will focus on six major trends the citizens of Iowa should know.

You may make your reservation to attend in-person (with lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Three boxed lunch options are available: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, and garden veggie salad; boxed lunches are $15 each. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, March 31. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.

If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | With a 40-year career in education, Daniel Henderson has the grounding of being a lifelong mid-westerner and having traveled extensively. His teaching career in the field of history and religion has given many of his students inspiration and motivation to pursue their careers in these fields. Dan has traveled to Europe and Central America and all over the United States. He has a passion for history and historic sites.

Daniel’s first book, Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical, recounts his journey through the evangelical world as a young person growing up in Iowa, and later as a Christian School teacher. After 40 years living as an evangelical, Daniel left that religious faith behind in 2006. His experience in private Christian schools and the Christian nationalist movement at that time gives him a unique voice to speak to what is happening in politics today.

Daniel and his wife, June, live in Washington, Iowa, where he is the Director of “Washington for Justice,” a grassroots advocacy group that works to make the community an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming place for all people. He also continues to teach American History at a local community college.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.