In 2018, a group of pastors gathered because they felt the shared need to support each other and pastors nationwide more explicitly. The evangelical community had become increasingly co-opted by political agendas and influenced by social media. Pastors felt this shift the most. Their communities and congregations were besieged by partisanship and societal divisions. This group of pastors met to discuss how best to support each other in navigating these polarizing issues, and ultimately shepherding their communities to live out the Gospel and place their identity in Christ.

They needed a peer community of pastors and Christian leaders who could understand each other’s unique challenges, while empathizing and learning from each other. Also, they acknowledged the necessity for resources that would help pastors and Christian leaders navigate and address contemporary challenges, while faithfully leading their congregations and organizations.

This cohort of Evangelical leaders then jointly penned, “A Call to Act in Hope.” The purpose of this document was to state the contemporary concerns Evangelical pastors and Christian leaders were facing regarding the harmful polarization in our country and congregations, discuss what the Bible says about being a peacemaker, and encourage Evangelical leaders to courageously join in this hopeful endeavor. This was the birth of the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship.

Since 2018, our reach and influence across the United States has been growing. We’ve organized dozens of trainings, workshops, and seminars. We’ve had the privilege of connecting hundreds of influential pastors and Christian leaders to each other. Our history itself is a testament of hope. It shows that a small number of individuals with an idea can have a tremendous impact.

IF we work with Evangelical Pastors and Christian Leaders to shape positive norms and behaviors within their groups, and IF we create a sense of fellowship among them, THEN we will create a more unified Church that is more resilient to toxic forms of division and ready to lead peacemaking efforts in their community and beyond.