Transform Minnesota Events

Faith Over Division

Rejecting violence. Renewing our witness. Uniting the Chuch

October 27, 2025 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

2600 E 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406

 

What once seemed unthinkable in Minnesota has now become a sobering reality—a political assassination of a state representative and a tragic school shooting within our own state. Beyond Minnesota, the picture is just as troubling: the killing of a political activist, an attempted assassination of the President, a break-in at the Governor of Pennsylvania’s home, a plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan – and the list goes on. Together, these events leave us asking: How did we get here? Why does it seem that more and more people see violence as the only answer to disagreement?

As our communities and our nation grieve and search for a way forward, we believe the Church has a deeper role to play – helping believers move beyond confusion and sorrow into meaningful action. We must learn to engage across political and ideological lines with Christlike love rather than mirroring the division around us. We must learn to engage our neighbors with a humble, faithful witness rather than responding in outrage to those who disagree with us. We must actively contribute to a future where such violence no longer finds fertile ground.

The Twin Cities AND Campaign Chapter is hosting an important gathering this October in partnership with the AND Campaign’s national team. Founder and Executive Director Justin Giboney will help us understand the connection between harmful political rhetoric and increased division and violence, and learn to embody the Gospel with humility and conviction in our civil discourse.

We will also hear from a panel of local leaders who will share how political division impacts their work in the public square, and how their faith compels them to call the Church toward greater unity.

Together with several local churches and ministries, we aim to create space for an honest conversation about the rise of harmful political rhetoric and its connection to increasing political violence.

 *Free event — registration is required. Optional $10 donation supports the And Campaign.

*The viewpoints of the speakers in this event are their own and don’t necessarily reflect that of Transform Minnesota

Click to Register!

OUR SPEAKERS

Justin Giboney|AND Campaign
Justin Giboney is an attorney, political strategist, and ordained minister in Atlanta, GA. He is also the cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, which is a coalition of urban Christians who are determined to address the sociopolitical arena with the compassion and conviction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has managed successful campaigns for elected officials in the state and referendums relating to the city’s transportation and water infrastructure.  He’s the co-author of Compassion (&) Conviction—The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement and has written op-eds for publications such as Christianity Today and The Hill.

 

 

Rachel Wightman|Concordia University

Rachel Wightman is a librarian, educator, and advocate for the thoughtful intersection of faith and fact-checking. With over 15 years of experience and a master’s degree in library and information science, she equips students and communities with tools to evaluate information wisely, engage ethically online, and live out truth with grace. In a divided, digitally driven world, Rachel helps Christians navigate the internet with clarity. She currently serves as Associate Director of Library and Academic Support at Concordia University, St. Paul, and is the author of Faith and Fake News: A Guide to Consuming Information Wisely. She also partners with churches to foster informed, compassionate engagement in our online culture.

 

 

Rev. Edrin C. Williams| Sanctuary Covenant Church

Rev. Edrin C. Williams is the Lead Pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church, a vibrant multiethnic congregation in North Minneapolis committed to reconciliation and community transformation. A native of South Carolina, he joined Sanctuary in 2011 and now leads with a passion for equipping people to live out their faith in practical ways.

Rev. Williams holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and Bethel Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity in Preaching and Communication. A gifted communicator and writer, he frequently speaks and writes on leadership, fatherhood, and faith. Under his leadership, Sanctuary has launched community initiatives such as Haven Pantry and Love MPLS. Edrin and his wife, Shanequa, live in North Minneapolis with their two daughters.

 

 

Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley|Minnesota House of Representatives

Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley is currently serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the first Kenyan-American to win a state assembly seat in Minnesota. Rep. Momanyi-Hiltsley attended Bethel University where she received her Master’s in Global Business Management.

 

 

 

 

Joshua Foster | Church Ambassador Network

Joshua Foster has served in ministry and education in the Twin Cities for the past 12 years in a variety of roles, including pastoring in St. Paul. He is currently a member of Exalting Christ Church in Minneapolis and serves as Deputy Director for the Church Ambassador Network, where he helps connect church leaders with government leaders, showing the love of Christ across both sides of the aisle.

 

FAQ

 

Where will Faith Over Division be held?

This event will be at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 2600 E 38th Street, Minneapolis

WHEN DOES REGISTRATION CLOSE?

Registration will close on October 24, 2025, at midnight.

WHEN DO THE DOORS OPEN?

The doors will open at 6:00 pm  

If you have any additional questions, please contact Schelli at schelli@transformmn.org

Register
Click to Register!
SPEAKERS

OUR SPEAKERS

Justin Giboney|AND Campaign
Justin Giboney is an attorney, political strategist, and ordained minister in Atlanta, GA. He is also the cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, which is a coalition of urban Christians who are determined to address the sociopolitical arena with the compassion and conviction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has managed successful campaigns for elected officials in the state and referendums relating to the city’s transportation and water infrastructure.  He’s the co-author of Compassion (&) Conviction—The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement and has written op-eds for publications such as Christianity Today and The Hill.

 

 

Rachel Wightman|Concordia University

Rachel Wightman is a librarian, educator, and advocate for the thoughtful intersection of faith and fact-checking. With over 15 years of experience and a master’s degree in library and information science, she equips students and communities with tools to evaluate information wisely, engage ethically online, and live out truth with grace. In a divided, digitally driven world, Rachel helps Christians navigate the internet with clarity. She currently serves as Associate Director of Library and Academic Support at Concordia University, St. Paul, and is the author of Faith and Fake News: A Guide to Consuming Information Wisely. She also partners with churches to foster informed, compassionate engagement in our online culture.

 

 

Rev. Edrin C. Williams| Sanctuary Covenant Church

Rev. Edrin C. Williams is the Lead Pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church, a vibrant multiethnic congregation in North Minneapolis committed to reconciliation and community transformation. A native of South Carolina, he joined Sanctuary in 2011 and now leads with a passion for equipping people to live out their faith in practical ways.

Rev. Williams holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and Bethel Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity in Preaching and Communication. A gifted communicator and writer, he frequently speaks and writes on leadership, fatherhood, and faith. Under his leadership, Sanctuary has launched community initiatives such as Haven Pantry and Love MPLS. Edrin and his wife, Shanequa, live in North Minneapolis with their two daughters.

 

 

Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley|Minnesota House of Representatives

Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley is currently serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the first Kenyan-American to win a state assembly seat in Minnesota. Rep. Momanyi-Hiltsley attended Bethel University where she received her Master’s in Global Business Management.

 

 

 

 

Joshua Foster | Church Ambassador Network

Joshua Foster has served in ministry and education in the Twin Cities for the past 12 years in a variety of roles, including pastoring in St. Paul. He is currently a member of Exalting Christ Church in Minneapolis and serves as Deputy Director for the Church Ambassador Network, where he helps connect church leaders with government leaders, showing the love of Christ across both sides of the aisle.

 

FAQ

FAQ

 

Where will Faith Over Division be held?

This event will be at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 2600 E 38th Street, Minneapolis

WHEN DOES REGISTRATION CLOSE?

Registration will close on October 24, 2025, at midnight.

WHEN DO THE DOORS OPEN?

The doors will open at 6:00 pm  

If you have any additional questions, please contact Schelli at schelli@transformmn.org

Details

Date:
October 27
Time:
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost:
$10
Event Category:

Organizer

Transform Minnesota
View Organizer Website

Venue

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
2600 E 38th St
Minneapolis, MN 55406 United States + Google Map

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