FIERCE
LOVE.
PERIOD.
“I want to convert you, to convince you, to proselytize you. I want you to believe with me in our shared capacity to make a better life and a better world, together. I hope you’ll believe assiduously in love, in the fiercest love of all.”
Ferocious Courage.
Rule-breaking Kindness.
Justice-making Faith.
Dr. Jacqui Lewis is a celebrated author, preacher, and public theologian best known as the Senior Minister of Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, where she leads with a vision of fierce love, justice, and radical inclusion. A womanist theologian, author and activist, Jacqui uses her voice—through speaking, writing, teaching and her Love. Period. podcast—to inspire antiracism, gender/sexuality affirming faith, and social change that heals communities and empowers individuals. Her work blends spiritual depth, psychological insight, and audacious hope to call people of all backgrounds to engage in collective transformation and compassionate action.
How Jacqui Shows Up
Ministry & Faith Leadership
As Senior Minister and Public Theologian at Middle Church, Jacqui leads a vibrant, multicultural, justice-centered faith community rooted in radical welcome, spiritual depth, and transformative love. She is an internationally renowned preacher, and thought leader who has filled pulpits from Princeton Theological Seminary to the American Church in Paris.
Author & Works
Jacqui holds a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Psychology and Religion. Through widely acclaimed books, articles, workshops, and lectures, Jacqui invites people to reimagine faith, dismantle harmful systems, and live into a more liberated, love-centered spirituality.
Podcast & Blog
The Love. Period podcast at CAC, occasional episodes of The Four, and guest appearances on the podcasts of amazing partners makes space real-life God talk. Find mu words at Fierce Love on Substack.
Justice, Activism & Impact
Grounded in womanist theology and antiracist practice, Jacqui’s work advances equity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and collective liberation through advocacy, education, and activism. Her justice work has taken her to South Africa, Ghana, Israel, Palestine, France, Mexico and all over the nation on stages and in the streets.
Conferences and Labs
For twenty years running, Middle has hosted an annual national justice conference, preparing ethical leaders to build a more just, anti-racist society. Leaders like William Barber, Raphael Warnock, Valarie Kaur and V (Eve Ensler) have graced our stage. Join us for The Art of Love and Liberation next fall. Click the button below to learn more.
News & Media
From television and radio interviews, to book tours with Richard Rohr, Valarie Kaur and Glennon Doyle, to her Love. Period. podcast, Jacqui brings bold, compassionate truth to global audiences through storytelling, commentary on current events and public dialogue.
Featured Book
Featured Book
Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage That Can Heal The World
I poured my soul into this book. Inspired by bell hooks, King’s Beloved Community and the philosophy of Ubuntu–a person is a person through other persons–Fierce Love is nine spiritual practices about loving self, loving neighbor and loving the world. Illustrated with deeply personal stories, and insights from psychology and theology, I share how fierce love shaped my life and my community. The reader is invited to awaken to the power of fierce love of self and neighbor to transform relationships, and revolutionize our public life together.
Come see what the world is saying about Fierce Love and order your copy today!
Love. Period. is a podcast exploring faith rooted in love, justice, and belonging. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis—author, activist, and Senior Minister of Middle Collegiate Church—and produced by the Center for Action and Contemplation, the show features candid conversations with artists, faith leaders, and changemakers about what radical love looks like in practice today.
Carry the message of love, justice, and belonging beyond these pages. From books and study guides to meaningful merchandise, each item is designed to inspire reflection, conversation, and action in everyday life.
