The Rev. Curtiss DeYoung has been named the new CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches, the council announced Wednesday.

DeYoung, a former professor of Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, is currently the executive director of the Community Renewal Society, a historic faith-based civil rights organization in Chicago.

An ordained minister in the Church of God, he has worked nationally on issues of racial justice and reconciliation. He is the former executive director of the Twin Cities Urban Reconciliation Network and has served congregations in Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

"I am eager to join the Minnesota Council of Churches in their important work of building the common good as agents of unity in the faith community and moral voices for a just society," said DeYoung in a council news release.

DeYoung is the author or editor of 10 books exploring issues such as cultural diversity, reconciliation and interfaith social justice. They include "United By Faith'', "Living Faith: How Faith Inspires Social Justice" and "The People's Bible."

DeYoung, who holds a divinity degree from Howard University in Washington D.C., also consults and speaks internationally.

The Minnesota Council of Churches is one of the nation's largest such bodies, representing 25 Protestant denominations and their more than million Minnesota members. He will replace the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, who retired Tuesday after 22 years overseeing the organization.

Jean Hopfensperger • 612-673-4511