Historical Background
The Christian Association of Public Theology (CAPT), Inc. was founded and incorporated on October 3, 2002 by the Reverend Willie J. Webb, a well-regarded Atlanta-based minister, theological instructor, community organizer, and human services professional. A membership organization open to all who are interested in promoting and engaging in public theology to effect God's intentions for humane interactions across social, economic, and political interactions. The organization centers its works on advocating for the benevolent redemptive engagement of validated religious and spiritual teachings across systems and institutions, as we face major crises of moral and ethical decline. CAPT seeks to identify those areas of human interaction that operate in discord against the Gospel message and to propose and engage specific action to revitalize and re-establish accord. It does this through direct advocacy in public and private sector arenas and through the hosting of informational conferences on various critical matters.
On September 22, 2006, CAPT held its First Annual Conference, "Promoting Holistic Health through Public Theology, at Morehouse College, co-hosted by the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center, funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Morehouse College president and former Atlanta Interdenominational Theological Center president, Dr. Robert M. Franklin, served as the keynote speaker. Since that time, eleven successive conference have been held.
Reverend Melvin Ware serves as president of CAPT, oversees the Board, and coordinates the planning for each conference.