James Causey Interviews Rev. Joe Ellwanger

On March 8, the Appleton Post-Crescent ran a story in its Ideas Lab section based on an interview and conversation with Rev. Joe Ellwanger who, at 93 years of age, and as the White pastor of a predominantly Black congregation in 

Rev. Joe Ellwanger may best be known to members and friends of ESTHER as ESTHER's first organizer. Working at the time for the WISDOM network, which was hoping to establish a faith-based social justice organizing affiliate in the Fox Valley, Ellwanger was a frequent presence in the area, connecting with congregations and the organizing committee over several years until ESTHER was chartered in 2004. For a couple of years afterwards, Ellwanger was the lead organizer (and only staff member) of ESTHER.