About
The Faith for Cities Delivery team
Templeton Religion Trust (TRT)
TRT is a global charitable trust chartered by Sir John Templeton in 1984 with headquarters in Nassau, The Bahamas. TRT has been active since 2012 and supports projects as well as storytelling related to projects seeking to enrich the conversation about religion.
Thriving Cities Group (TCG)
TCG uses a multi-disciplinary approach that brings together decades of research, training, community organizing and technology.
Synergine Group Limited (Synergine)
Synergine is an ecosystem of synergistic businesses, partners and clients, orchestrated by a consulting platform, providing multidisciplinary, full-service, turn-key solutions. Our philosophy operates out of a values-based DNA focussed on promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Relight
Relight is the communication and collaboration hub within the Faith for Cities initiative. It’s where ideas, insights, and innovations converge, and multi-faith stakeholders find a common ground. Relight is not just a technology platform; it’s a space where dialogues are transformed into actionable insights, and collaborative efforts yield sustainable urban development solutions. In the complex landscape of urban development, Relight stands as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable progress.
Dr. Chris Elisara
Executive Director, Faith for Cities
Dr. Chris Elisara is a champion of urban design and placemaking that makes places better for all. As the Vice President of Strategic Development for Thriving Cities Group and the Executive Director of Faith for Cities, Dr. Elisara is at the forefront of innovative urban development initiatives.
Dr. Elisara is a renowned urban design and placemaking advocate, committed to transforming cities into thriving, sustainable, and inclusive environments. His expertise is rooted in a rich history of revitalizing American cities, a journey that found its expression during his tenure on the board of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) from 2016-2018 and the co-founding of the CNU Members Christian Caucus.
Internationally, Dr. Elisara's influence extends through his pivotal roles within UN-Habitat, including his leadership in the World Urban Campaign and chairing the task force for SDG Cities. His faith-driven approach to urban development was amplified as a Senior Fellow at Duke Divinity School’s Ormond Center, where he founded the Studio for Placemaking.
As the co-director of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Sustainability Center, Dr. Elisara represents the interests and perspectives of over 600 million evangelicals globally at esteemed international platforms, including the World Economic Forum, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UNFCC, and UN-Habitat. His advocacy and leadership have been instrumental in bridging the gap between faith and sustainable urban development, fostering collaborations that are rooted in shared values and visions for thriving cities.
Dr. Elisara’s holistic approach to urban revitalization is also evident in his storytelling endeavors. He co-founded First+Main Films and established international film festivals dedicated to the narrative of city transformation, underscoring the power of storytelling in shaping the trajectories of urban landscapes.
His current engagements include leading the Templeton Religion Trust grant project “Faith for Cities” and serving as a consulting expert for the World Economic Forum’s "Faith in Action" project, slated for release in January 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. In every endeavor, Dr. Elisara’s commitment to fostering cities that are not only structurally sound but also socially and spiritually vibrant remains unwavering.