Half The Church Gathering, Nov 8–9, 2024 | Roosevelt Island, NYC
Reflecting on my experience at the Half The Gathering this past weekend, three key takeaways resonated deeply, touching on justice, resistance, and community. The event Dan Sadlier of Mosaic Collective hosted was a testament to courage, strength, and God's intervention. Despite the devastating news that Dan’s daughter was missing, he went ahead with the event, choosing faith over fear. Miraculously, God answered our prayers on the first day, and Dan’s daughter, Markeysha, returned safely. We praised God for this incredible intervention, and I was moved by the community’s outpouring of support — a true demonstration of what it means to be part of a village.
Returning home, I’ve reflected on the conversations and personal interactions throughout the event. Here are three takeaways I believe are crucial for our community right now:
1) The Call for Women to Use Their Voices for Justice
I saw the determination of women from all over the nation at the gathering to speak out against injustices, particularly those that some white evangelical communities support. In light of recent election results that were disheartening for many, there was a renewed commitment among us to resist and continue speaking out. We know our voices matter, and we’re determined to use them. It’s no longer enough to hope for justice; we must actively pursue it in various ways, especially when others overlook or ignore these values. Women have a unique power to lead in these spaces and drive change despite the resistance from men, especially those we thought were for us. I sincerely believe this is the age of the Deborahs, Esthers, and Huldahs.
In the Bible, several women — both named and unnamed — played pivotal roles that challenged societal norms, fought for justice, or sparked movements. These women’s actions underscore a legacy of female empowerment that can serve as inspiration for empowering women in the church today, particularly in a cultural moment where there’s a renewed focus and necessity on the work of social justice in the post-Trump era.
2) Drawing Boundaries Against Complicity with Empire
Danielle Strickland reminded us of the importance of setting boundaries within institutions infiltrated by oppressive ideologies. This message echoed something I’ve been emphasizing in my own spaces: if people stopped showing up, many leaders would be forced to confront their complicity. Allies must ask themselves if they’re genuinely supporting BIPOC communities, and BIPOC folks must consider the cost of remaining in these spaces. Too often, we stay, hoping to bring change, only to find ourselves compromising or simply validating the same harmful structures. My own experience taught me this: I refused to comply when a seminary attempted to silence my voice by asking me to stop writing for PRISM magazine (previously published by Evangelicals for Social Action now Christians for Social Action). I paid a price but knew that compromising my voice and values was unacceptable. That event reaffirmed my decision to prioritize integrity over comfort. Many of us must ask ourselves what boundaries we need to set to maintain our peace and self-respect.
3) Creating Spaces That Are “For Us, By Us”
Finally, I returned from the gathering with an even stronger resolve to create and support spaces designed for and by us. Like FUBU, we need spaces that pour back into us, giving us the strength to re-engage in the broader, often hostile environments where our voices are marginalized. In my work with Passion2Plant and the Passion Center, I’m committed to establishing spaces where BIPOC individuals and allies can thrive in justice-oriented, Spirit-filled communities. This vision for holistic, theologically sound spaces is essential for our well-being and resilience. We need places that replenish our spirits so we’re prepared to continue shining light in dark spaces, especially as white evangelical support for harmful policies persists.
For those seeking to break free from oppressive environments, there are ways to get involved with organizations that have long warned about these issues. We must rest, and then gather ourselves up to unite, create, and sustain spaces that honor our identities and values. We can foster communities that support justice and embrace the divine calling for equity and love.
If you are vibing with this and want to find ways to use your voice and help create spaces for us, I’d love to chat with you, so reach out and let’s do this.
