Rev. Fred Morris

Rev. Fred Morris has lived an extraordinary life. The son and grandson of Methodist pastors, he studied at Cornell College, Drew University, and the University of Chicago. He served as a missionary in Brazil for 11 years, where his activism and friendship with Archbishop Dom Helder Cāmara led to his abduction and torture by the Brazilian military. Following his release and return to the U.S., Morris gained national attention through his testimony before Congress and an article in Time magazine, leading to appearances on the Today Show and other programs.

In 1976, Morris moved to Costa Rica, where he launched a construction company, created the newsletter Mesoamerica, and served as ABC News’ resident correspondent. Later, he led churches in Chicago, taught at the Methodist University in Rio de Janeiro, directed the Florida Council of Churches, served as Dean of the Orlando Campus of the South Florida Center for Theological Studies, and directed Latin American relations for the National Council of Churches.

“Retiring” in 2006, Morris moved to Panama, founding “The Church without Bullshit” for expatriates. In 2014, at Bishop Minerva Carcańo’s request, he returned to pastoral service at North Hills UMC, revitalizing a previously closed church and establishing the San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center to support Central American refugee children. Now officially retired, Morris lives in Nicaragua with his beloved wife, Argentina.