In early April, Transform Minnesota and Bethel University hosted a church summit called “Holy Sexuality in Today’s Society.” Our Holy Sexuality in Today’s World Church Summit was so popular at Bethel University, it reached capacity, so we hosted a second summit in Cambridge, MN and had over 100 attendees. Evangelical scholar and psychologist from Regent University, Mark Yarhouse presented on how to unpack LGBTQ, how to understand gender dysphoria in our culture, and sexual identity from a Christian perspective. Biblical scholar Dr. Paul Eddy of Bethel University, presented on the Biblical theology of human sexuality, and the emphasis God puts on covenant relationships.

Transform Minnesota is deeply saddened by the recent passing of our founding Executive Director Rev. Quinten Alfors. Quint’s leadership and faithfulness in prayer, was a driving force in the founding of this evangelical network, formerly called the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals, which still exists 50 years later. We are eternally grateful for the ways God used Rev. Quint Alfors to connect and equip the Church through GMAE. We hope to continue to honor his name and legacy with the work we do at Transform Minnesota.

On Good Friday, 80 Christians gathered together at Wooddale Church to pray for Muslims, and for opportunities to minister to Muslims. Friday afternoons are typically a holy time for Muslims, as they attend Jumaa prayer in the Mosques. This past Friday was Good Friday for Christians, when we embrace the power of Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross. We recognize that prayer is essential to reach our Muslim neighbors. Here’s a starting guide as to how to Pray for Muslims.

As Minnesota legislators are in the thick of drafting, amending and voting on bills this legislative session, we implore our elected officials to seek restorative justice in our state’s Corrections system. In the midst of these very difficult situations where victims must remain the center of our care, we also believe in reflecting the Christian hope for the rehabilitation and restoration of offenders.

Transform Minnesota hosted a training at Gray Plant Mooty Law Firm on employment legal standards for faith-based organizations, churches and businesses. Esteemed attorneys Sam Diehl, Principal at GPM and Meghann Kantke, Associate at GPM, as well as a Transform Minnesota board member, shared what the legal landscape of religious organizations is like in today’s world.

Sexuality and gender identity are important and critical issues our society is wrestling with in the public sphere. Today’s secular culture is dictating the narrative of what is sexually permissible, leaving the Church often timid when speaking about sexual orientation, gender dysphoria, and God’s design for holy sexuality. We believe the Church needs to root its response in the truth that male and female were created in God’s image. We believe the Church needs to offer a fulfilling, good, God-honoring vision of holy sexuality. In loving the whole person, the Church needs to be willing to accept the questions that come along with people struggling with their sexuality and identity.