We have a dream… that pastors of the Twin Cities would pursue racial harmony by exploring in depth our troubled past so we can move forward and fulfill our calling to oneness as the Body of Christ. Transform Minnesota is launching its first-ever Sankofa Journey to Harmony visiting Civil Rights sites in February 2017. Rev. Terrance Rollerson and Pastor Andy Gray, pastors at the The Urban Refuge Church in Minneapolis will be leading the Sankofa Journey to Harmony. Terrance and Andy went on the journey together in 2012 and 2016. Read about how this spiritual journey impacted their friendship and relationship as an African American man and White man in ministry together. Sankofa is an intentionally multi-ethnic, experiential, and spiritual journey that will take us to important places and moments in the Civil Rights movement where together we’ll mourn, learn, understand, repent, pray, and find hope to build bridges and stand in the gap as peacemakers.

As we approach the 2016 Presidential election, we wanted to know how pastors are navigating the political season. Dr. Matthew St. John, lead pastor of New Hope Church in New Hope writes about three truths he knows this election season: "God is in charge, and His say is final. I must respond to what my Spirit-shaped conscience dictates, and offer charity to those whose choices differ from mine. I must honor the candidate that is victorious, if only because my Lord, in His written revelation, has commanded me to do so."

As we approach the 2016 Presidential election, we wanted to know how pastors are navigating the political season. Carl Nelson, president and CEO of Transform Minnesota writes about his observations this election season; including the political diversity of American evangelicalism, and how he believes a Biblically-informed policy platform will be in conflict with both major parties. As God’s people, Carl believes we are called to be servants, not masters, and trust that the renewal of our culture is a result of transformed hearts, not elected officials.

For our Urban Church Planting blog series, we are posting a recent blog Rev. Efrem Smith, President and CEO of World Impact wrote about being thick-skinned urban missionaries. He writes about how being thick-skinned for the Kingdom of God can only come about through intimacy with God, identity in Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Only out of the overflow of this dynamic relationship can urban missionaries be used to empower the poor, strengthen the church, and transform communities.

As we approach the 2016 Presidential election, we wanted to know how pastors are navigating the political season. Pastor Jeff Heidkamp, co-lead pastor of Mercy Vineyard Church writes about why he doesn’t think the Bible has anything to say about American “uppercase P” Politics, but has a lot to say about “lowercase p” politics. Pastor Jeff shares when he believes it is appropriate for a pastor to become partisan, and a practice he implements that helps him to gain empathy for those who see the world differently than he does.

As we approach the 2016 Presidential election, we wanted to know how pastors are navigating the political season. We asked a number of pastors to contribute as guest authors; some wouldn't touch the topic with a 10 foot pole, others like Pastor Kory Kleinsasser, lead pastor at Waite Park Church agreed to write this thoughtful piece about transcending the political chaos. We are encouraged by Pastor Kory's message of rising above fear, division and cynicism, and putting our trust in God knowing Jesus taught us to transcend the petty arguments of the day and to take an eternal, divine perspective.

For our Urban Church Planting Q & A series, we interview pioneer church planters who, having firmly planted churches in urban areas of the Twin Cities, look back and share their wisdom and reflections. Here we interview John Erickson, lead pastor of Jubilee Community Church in South Minneapolis. John helped to plant another church in Brooklyn Center, MN before planting Jubilee in the Phillips neighborhood, where he grew up.

For our Urban Church Planting Q & A series, we interview pioneer church planters who, having firmly planted churches in urban areas of the Twin Cities, look back and share their wisdom and reflections. Here we interview Andy O'Rourke, lead pastor of Antioch Community Church in Northeast Minneapolis. Antioch Community Church is also affiliated with the Acts 29 Network Upper Midwest Region. Antioch Community Church is the second church Andy has planted.

For our Urban Church Planting Q & A series, we interview Chris Brooks, Midwest Regional Executive at Stadia, a church planting network. We include links to Stadia Church Planter Resources, including a Church Planter Coaching Reading List, a Church Plant Budget Template, and Calculations for Facility Rentals.