David W. Swanson
@davidwswanson.bsky.social
South Side Chicago husband, dad, pastor and author. I think about Ida B. Wells when I get confused.
https://dwswanson.com/
https://dwswanson.com/
"Of these 5,373 [detained by ICE since the government shutdown], there was a net increase of 5,209 more individuals with no criminal history – some 97 percent of the total net increase. Only 3 percent had a criminal conviction even including minor traffic offenses."
tracreports.org/reports/767/
tracreports.org/reports/767/
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 AM
"Of these 5,373 [detained by ICE since the government shutdown], there was a net increase of 5,209 more individuals with no criminal history – some 97 percent of the total net increase. Only 3 percent had a criminal conviction even including minor traffic offenses."
tracreports.org/reports/767/
tracreports.org/reports/767/
"When Christians here in Chicago protest the government’s cruel deportation campaign, whether gathering for a prayer vigil or wading through tear gas-choked streets, we are looking for Jesus."
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
Bearing Witness as Protest
Our testimony to Jesus is the foundation of our dissent
buttondown.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"When Christians here in Chicago protest the government’s cruel deportation campaign, whether gathering for a prayer vigil or wading through tear gas-choked streets, we are looking for Jesus."
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
Preachers, what's the passage of Scripture and main point of your sermon this week? I'll be in Revelation 3:14-22, "We refuse the deceptions of wealth by trusting Jesus."
November 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Preachers, what's the passage of Scripture and main point of your sermon this week? I'll be in Revelation 3:14-22, "We refuse the deceptions of wealth by trusting Jesus."
Reposted by David W. Swanson
"It was a triumph of men who in their effort to replace equality with caste and to build inordinate wealth on a foundation of abject poverty have succeeded in killing democracy."
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"It was a triumph of men who in their effort to replace equality with caste and to build inordinate wealth on a foundation of abject poverty have succeeded in killing democracy."
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
On state-sanctioned violence justified by state-sponsored lies.
November 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
On state-sanctioned violence justified by state-sponsored lies.
"It was a triumph of men who in their effort to replace equality with caste and to build inordinate wealth on a foundation of abject poverty have succeeded in killing democracy."
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"It was a triumph of men who in their effort to replace equality with caste and to build inordinate wealth on a foundation of abject poverty have succeeded in killing democracy."
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
Friends in the western suburbs, I'd love to see you this Wednesday evening at Wheaton College. (Contrary to the flier, I'm not a Dr. but I'll still do my best to make it interesting.)
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Friends in the western suburbs, I'd love to see you this Wednesday evening at Wheaton College. (Contrary to the flier, I'm not a Dr. but I'll still do my best to make it interesting.)
While our circumstances will shape the tenor and content of our dissent, they don’t have the power to shut our protest down.
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
Placing Our Protest
Circumstances change but our dissent endures
buttondown.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:46 PM
While our circumstances will shape the tenor and content of our dissent, they don’t have the power to shut our protest down.
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
buttondown.com/david.w.swan...
A autumn morning walk through Jackson Park.
November 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A autumn morning walk through Jackson Park.
As Chicago suffers state-sanctioned terror, the Christians who once were so vocal have become strangely silent.
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
As Chicago suffers state-sanctioned terror, the Christians who once were so vocal have become strangely silent.
Heartbreaking to watch the state police again refuse entry by clergy to those held at Broadview. Denying pastoral care is another example of the cruelty inflicted on our neighbors. Even so, it was encouraging to be joined by colleagues for the interfaith prayer service.
November 7, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Heartbreaking to watch the state police again refuse entry by clergy to those held at Broadview. Denying pastoral care is another example of the cruelty inflicted on our neighbors. Even so, it was encouraging to be joined by colleagues for the interfaith prayer service.
The Faith Over Fear interfaith coalition has been a source of courage and wisdom during the federal government's cruel operations in Chicago. Join us on Friday at Broadview as we raise voices and songs in solidarity with our detained neighbors.
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
November 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Faith Over Fear interfaith coalition has been a source of courage and wisdom during the federal government's cruel operations in Chicago. Join us on Friday at Broadview as we raise voices and songs in solidarity with our detained neighbors.
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
White people receive SNAP more than any other group. But that fact didn't stop Fox News from running AI-generated videos of Black women complaining about cuts to their benefits.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
November 3, 2025 at 11:32 PM
White people receive SNAP more than any other group. But that fact didn't stop Fox News from running AI-generated videos of Black women complaining about cuts to their benefits.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 2:18:-19, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
November 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 2:18:-19, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Yesterday we gathered to prayerfully proclaim God's protection over our vulnerable neighbors in Little Village. As we gather in worship this morning, may our allegiance to the Lord Jesus lead us into solidarity with every sibling suffering under the threat of state-sponsored violence.
November 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Yesterday we gathered to prayerfully proclaim God's protection over our vulnerable neighbors in Little Village. As we gather in worship this morning, may our allegiance to the Lord Jesus lead us into solidarity with every sibling suffering under the threat of state-sponsored violence.
Hey preacher friends, what's the passage and theme for your sermon tomorrow? I'm preaching from Revelation 2:18-29, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Hey preacher friends, what's the passage and theme for your sermon tomorrow? I'm preaching from Revelation 2:18-29, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
I talked with a friend who is preparing for the loss of SNAP. She's incredibly diligent– works a full-time job and two side-hustles. She's thrifty, lives modestly, yet without this assistance she's in trouble.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
October 27, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I talked with a friend who is preparing for the loss of SNAP. She's incredibly diligent– works a full-time job and two side-hustles. She's thrifty, lives modestly, yet without this assistance she's in trouble.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
Excellent thoughts on why U.S. Christians ought to be paying attention to what's happening with SNAP right now.
🚨THOUGHTS on Christians and SNAP🚨:
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
October 27, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Excellent thoughts on why U.S. Christians ought to be paying attention to what's happening with SNAP right now.
Our church is hosting a workshop with our friends from Ecuador early next month. This is a great opportunity to learn about grassroots community development from a global perspective and I'd love for you to be my guest.
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
October 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Our church is hosting a workshop with our friends from Ecuador early next month. This is a great opportunity to learn about grassroots community development from a global perspective and I'd love for you to be my guest.
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
From the conclusion of today's sermon from Revelation 2:12-17, "Both/And Faithfulness."
October 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
From the conclusion of today's sermon from Revelation 2:12-17, "Both/And Faithfulness."
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
October 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
Hey preachers, what's the passage and theme for your sermon this week? I'm coming from Revelation 2:12-17, "Faithfulness to Jesus connects public witness and personal devotion."
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Hey preachers, what's the passage and theme for your sermon this week? I'm coming from Revelation 2:12-17, "Faithfulness to Jesus connects public witness and personal devotion."
Christians will continue to publicly and precisely identify the white supremacist rhetoric and policies of the Trump / MAGA movement as what they are– deceitful and dangerous attacks on image-bearers of the Creator God.
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Christians will continue to publicly and precisely identify the white supremacist rhetoric and policies of the Trump / MAGA movement as what they are– deceitful and dangerous attacks on image-bearers of the Creator God.
Reposted by David W. Swanson
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
An Appeal of Christian Faith to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers
In this powerful pastoral appeal, Rev. David Swanson calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to reconsider their actions in light of the teachings of Jesus—inviting them to pursue peace,...
christiansforsocialaction.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
An Appeal of Christian Faith to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers
In this powerful pastoral appeal, Rev. David Swanson calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to reconsider their actions in light of the teachings of Jesus—inviting them to pursue peace,...
christiansforsocialaction.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...