Welcome Difference
Enhance acceptance of religious and cultural diversity across Franklin Township.
Franklin TownshipInterfaith CouncilFranklin Township, New Jersey
Many faiths. One community.
The Franklin Township Interfaith Council brings houses of worship, civic partners, and neighbors together to strengthen understanding, service, unity, and emergency response across our community.
Next eventCommunity EngagementMonday, October 19, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Franklin Township Community/Senior Center- 4
- mission priorities
- 2016
- Clergy Council established
- .org
- new home: franklintwpinterfaith.org
Next Event
Community Engagement
Understanding Different Faiths Within Our Community
DateMonday, October 19, 2026
Time6:00 PM
LocationFranklin Township Community/Senior Center505 Demott Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873
A community gathering focused on understanding different faiths, building trust, dialogue, and stronger connection across Franklin Township.
Our Mission
Acceptance, relationship, service, and readiness.
Build Relationships
Create activities that help members of different houses of worship socialize, learn, and serve together.
Serve Shared Values
Carry out community-based work rooted in values common among many faith traditions.
Coordinate In Crisis
Help houses of worship engage the community and coordinate during local or national emergencies.
About FTIC
A council built for Franklin Township's shared life.
FTIC exists to help a richly diverse community know one another better and stand together in moments of joy, service, tension, and need. Its work creates clearer pathways for residents, houses of worship, and civic partners to connect around shared values.
The council is shaped by clergy and lay leaders who bring experience in ministry, education, civic life, youth development, and community service.
Leadership
Community leaders carrying the work forward.
President
Rev. Sonya Redd
Rev. Sonya Redd brings decades of ministry, youth advocacy, civic service, and community leadership. Rev. Redd served for 23 years at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, first as the Youth Pastor, then Assistant Pastor over Evangelism, Christian Education and the Women's Ministry. She retired from Galilee in 2019 and returned to her home church, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. She helped build New Jersey's ACT-SO program, has served in NAACP leadership, and continues to champion young people discovering and developing their gifts.Executive Leadership Team
1st Vice President
Imam Rizwan Rizvi
Imam Rizwan Rizvi is a Muslim scholar and community leader serving at Masjid-e-Ali in Somerset, New Jersey, where he is actively involved in religious education, pastoral guidance, sermons, lectures, and community programming. He began his formal Islamic studies at Imam Ali Seminary in Chicago and continued at the Islamic Seminary of Qum, Iran, earning a Bachelor's degree in Theology and Philosophy. He also pursued advanced Arabic studies at Damascus University, with academic interests including Arabic, Islamic jurisprudence, Qur'anic exegesis, theology, and Islamic philosophy. Since September 2025, Imam Rizvi has served as an official Police Chaplain with the Franklin Township Police Department, offering spiritual and pastoral support while helping strengthen understanding between law enforcement and the township's diverse communities.2nd Vice President
Pastor George Montanari
Pastor George Montanari has served as pastor of Middlebush Reformed Church since January 2003. His previous ministry was with Apache Reformed Church, a predominantly Native American congregation in Apache, Oklahoma. Pastor George serves as chaplain for the Middlebush Volunteer Fire Department and on the Board of Trustees for the Cedar Grove Cemetery Association, and he has been involved in interfaith collaboration in Franklin Township throughout his tenure. He grew up in Riverdale, New Jersey, graduated from Lynchburg College, now the University of Lynchburg, in Lynchburg, Virginia, and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.
3rd Vice President
Protim K. Adhikari
Protim K. Adhikari is the Lead Pastor of Theology & Leadership Development at Point Community Church in Somerset. He is also a full-time urban educator in Newark, NJ, serving as a department chair and lead teacher of various AP courses at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University, an MFin. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MDiv. from Westminster Theological Seminary.
At-Large Executive Member
Enayat Ron Poustchi, PhD
Dr. Poustchi is a member of the Baha'i Faith (www.bahai.org). He is also a member of the Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Foundation and the Franklin Township Human Relations Commission. His background includes a BS, MS, and PhD in chemical engineering, with over 35 years of experience in the environmental field.Secretary
Phyllis E. Beals
Phyllis E. Beals is an independent mental health professional. She is a licensed clinical social worker and holds an M.S.W. in Mental Health, Health Care, and Family Services.Our Work
Programs and public witness that bring people together.
Clergy Council
A platform for faith leaders to build trust, share a unified message, bridge gaps between communities, and support the public good.
Youth Engagement
A developing space for young people to grow through service, dialogue, leadership, and community connection.
Interfaith Gatherings
Programs, vigils, dialogues, and shared meals that help neighbors show up for one another across traditions.
Community Response
A coordinating role during moments of need, including resource-sharing, emergency communication, and compassionate public witness.
Partners
Houses of worship and community partners with a shared message.
Point Community Church
Extending boundaries. Solidifying foundations. PCC exists to identify with Christ, one another, and the people groups of the region while becoming a vital regional partner through responsive citizenship, leadership, and worship.
Masjid-e-Ali
Peace be with you. We are either brothers in faith or equal in humanity.
Temple Beth El
We join with all who desire a world built on the foundations of love, diversity, and acceptance.
Ananda Mandir Hindu Temple & Community Center
Let us unite to celebrate spirituality, encourage community service, and build an inclusive future for the generations to come.
Want your organization listed?
FTIC welcomes houses of worship and community organizations that want to build unity and serve Franklin Township together.
Community Resources
A cleaner starting point for help, referrals, and support.
Start Here
- NJ 211
24/7 help finding food, housing, health, disaster, and other support services.
- Somerset County Human Services
County programs and contacts for residents who need support.
- Somerset County Resources & Publications
County resource guides, mental health materials, and community support documents.
Food & Basic Needs
- Franklin Food Bank
Local food assistance, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give help.
- NJ SNAP
Food assistance information from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
- Somerset County Social Services
County assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, emergency assistance, and related services.
Health, Youth & Families
- GetCoveredNJ
New Jersey's official health insurance marketplace.
- Pioneer Family Success Center
Family support, housing, utility, and community resources.
- Youth Services Directory
Archived youth services directory from the previous FTIC resource library.
News & Events
Gatherings, updates, and community moments.
FTIC shares upcoming programs as they are scheduled. Past vigils and public statements remain part of the council's ongoing witness against hate and for solidarity.
Upcoming event
Community Engagement
Understanding Different Faiths Within Our Community. Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Franklin Township Community/Senior Center, 505 Demott Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873.View event flyerApril 22, 2019
Sri Lankan bombing vigil
Community members assembled at Masjid-e-Ali in remembrance and solidarity.Read archived storyMarch 19, 2019
New Zealand mosque attack vigil
Neighbors gathered at Temple Beth El to honor victims and reject hate.Read archived storyOctober 2018
Tree of Life Synagogue vigil
Franklin Township residents and faith leaders gathered in support of the Jewish community.Read archived storyContact
Reach the council, volunteer, or start a partnership.
Connect with FTIC to join the work, share a community need, or begin a conversation between houses of worship.
Join or Volunteer
Tell the council how you or your house of worship would like to participate.
Email FTICBecome a Partner
Share your organization name, website, clergy contact, and message of unity.
Email FTICCommunity Coordination
Reach out about interfaith support, community resources, or urgent coordination needs.
Email FTIC