by Jorge Gomez • 3 minutes
Exciting news! Scholars at First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) are making a tremendous difference for religious freedom. We’re celebrating two CRCD senior fellows who were selected for important leadership positions in the federal government and higher education.
Mark David Hall Appointed to Advisory Board of Religious Liberty Commission
Exciting news! The Trump administration recently named Mark David Hall to serve on the Advisory Board of Lay Leaders of the President’s Religious Liberty Commission.
On May 1, during a White House ceremony celebrating the National Day of Prayer, President Trump signed an executive order creating the Commission. It is comprised of 13 members and its stated purpose is “to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.”
The executive order also designates three boards—one of religious leaders, one of lay leaders and one of legal experts—to advise and assist the Commission.
Hall is the Director of the CRCD’s Religious Liberty in the States index that ranks them based on how well their laws protect religious freedom. He is a professor in Regent University’s Robertson School of Government and a Distinguished Scholar of Christianity & Public Life at George Fox University.
He is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding scholars of early American history and an expert on religious liberty and Church-State relations. Hall has written, edited or co-edited a dozen books, including:
Hall earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College and a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia.
“Dr. Hall is a preeminent scholar on American history, religious freedom and constitutionalism, making him an outstanding choice for this important role,” said Jordan Ballor, Executive Director at the CRCD. “We extend our congratulations. His insight and knowledge will serve the Commission well in advancing religious liberty for Americans of all faiths. ”
With Hall’s appointment, there are now two members of First Liberty’s team serving on the Commission.
The President appointed First Liberty President, CEO & Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford to serve as one of the 13 commissioners. Kelly represents the only nonprofit religious liberty legal organization of its kind on the commission.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected to join such a prestigious group of leaders on the Commission in President Trump’s effort to protect religious liberty in our nation,” Shackelford said.
“For too long, government officials have been hostile to expressions of faith despite First Liberty’s numerous victories at the Supreme Court,” he added. “It will be a privilege to do everything we can to protect religious liberty and restore our First Freedom for all Americans.”
John Nunes Appointed as President of California Lutheran University
The Board of Regents of California Lutheran University announced the appointment of John A. Nunes, Ph.D., as the university’s ninth president. He has been serving as interim president since June 2024.
Nunes has served on CRCD’s team of scholars for several years. He is a widely respected scholar and nonprofit executive with over three decades of leadership experience. Previously, he was president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief, where he led global poverty alleviation and sustainable development efforts. Since 2020, he has served on the Council of Independent Colleges’ Campus Free Expression Project, helping institutions navigate the complexities of intellectual engagement in a polarized era.
“I am blessed to continue serving in this community of creativity and inclusivity, at an institution built by pioneering, persevering people of faith,” Nunes said.
“Dr. Nunes has demonstrated his commitment to Cal Lutheran’s mission and our students every single day since his appointment as interim president, and the board is excited to have him join us on a longer-term basis,” said Board of Regents Chair Ann Boynton.
Nunes has published five books and more than 60 book chapters, articles and reviews. He holds a Ph.D. from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, two master’s degrees, a Bachelor of Arts, and has been awarded three honorary doctorates.
We encourage you to watch this First Liberty Live! episode where he shares how people of faith can and should respond in our age of cancel culture:
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