Meet our 2024 Rising Star

10-08-24

Immanuel Karunakaran is an ordained minister in the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamilnadu, India. He is an activist, scholar, pastor, and artist driven by the intersections between racism in America and the caste system in India.

During the pandemic, Pastor Karunakaran participated in a mural project, using his artistic and prophetic talents to raise awareness about the complexity of identity, force, freedom, and our legacy in the displacement of Indigenous peoples and the enslavement of Black and Brown bodies in the United States. A trained anti-racism leader who works to address institutional racism, he is hoping to impact the ongoing struggle of the church and society in the US and worldwide.  

Pastor Karunakaran also uses his artistic abilities in various ministry settings, regularly singing, dancing, and also performing Dalit music. A class of 2020 graduate of McCormick, we proudly honor him as our 2024 Rising Star for his dedication to his calling and faithful leadership.