a spectrum of faith.
documenting diversity
A Spectrum of Faith showcases diverse religious communities of greater Des Moines. Whether they arrived before the last century or just the last decade, these Iowans who practice the world’s major faith traditions - Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam - extend the state’s proud history of welcome to people of all faith backgrounds. This documentary explores the journey of Drake University students and faculty as they researched and wrote this book which encapsulates Iowa’s breathtaking religious diversity.
I produced this ten-minute documentary that traced the two-year project from its original conception through planning, student, organization, and community involvement, as well as vividly showing the practiced religions. Both the documentary and the book aim to educate the Des Moines area about their neighbors in hopes of forging relationships, but to also lay the ground work for other cities to do the same. As a filmmaker and director, my ambition was to encapuslate the spirit, passion, motivation, and purpose behind the book project and the impact this project will continue to have for Iowa and for the nation.
