Bringing Life Where We Go: A Kingdom Vision for Minnesota

At Transform Minnesota, our vision is to see Minnesota transformed by the expanding reign of God’s Kingdom, bringing flourishing life to the world around us. Surrounded by human suffering and injustice, cultural instability, and political dysfunction, we believe the Church is called by God to be a source of life – bringing healing and renewal to the communities we live in—not by asserting power or winning ideological battles, but by embodying the healing and renewing presence of Jesus.

Two biblical images give us a picture of this life-giving presence: the river of life in Ezekiel 47, and the ministry of Jesus as described in Matthew 9:35.

In Ezekiel 47, the prophet is shown a vision of a river flowing from the temple. At first a trickle, the water grows deeper as it flows out of the temple, through Jerusalem and into the desert. Eventually, this river brings life to everything it touches—making salty waters fresh, restoring dead places, and nourishing trees whose leaves are for healing. This vision is not only a picture of future hope; it is a pattern for how God’s presence brings renewal to the world.

We believe the Church is meant to be part of that river. As the Spirit flows through God’s people, we are called to carry life into dry and broken places—bringing spiritual rebirth, healing, justice, and hope. The deeper the river flows, the greater the transformation. This is our prayer for Minnesota: that Christians would move outward from our sanctuaries and circles with the renewing power of God’s Kingdom.

This prophetic vision becomes reality through the ministry of Jesus. In Matthew 9:35, we are given a summary of how Jesus ministered: “Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction.” Jesus didn’t stay in one place. He went—into towns, neighborhoods, and public spaces. His message was clear: the Kingdom of God is near, and it is full of good news! His ministry embodied the promise to Ezekiel—a life-giving river flowing from the presence of God.

Like the river in Ezekiel’s vision, we believe God’s people are meant to bring life wherever they go. At Transform Minnesota, we connect and equip evangelical leaders to live out this calling—through faithful teaching, compassionate service, and wise engagement with the challenges of our time.

We also live out this Kingdom vision through our three Affiliate Ministries that serve vulnerable populations with compassion and dignity.

New Life Family Services supports women, men, and families with pregnancy counseling, parenting support, and material resources—bringing hope at the earliest stages of life. Arrive Ministries partners with churches to welcome refugees and immigrants—offering housing, job support, English classes, and community along the life transformation pathway. Damascus Way Reentry Center seeks to break the cycle of incarceration through Christ-centered transitional housing and recovery support for men (and soon for women also).

Our name is our vision—to transform Minnesota. Our desire is that the Church in Minnesota would be a living presence of God’s Kingdom on earth: healing lives, strengthening families, lifting up human dignity, showing compassion and mercy for people who suffer, confronting injustice, and forming beloved communities where people find belonging in God’s family and personal salvation through Jesus.