About Us

The Church has always been called to model the unity the world longs to see.

While in seminary studying racial justice and ecumenism, I began searching for a faith-grounded, practical model that churches and Christians could use to build authentic relationships based on our shared faith in Jesus. 

After an extensive search, I couldn't find the kind of resource that I believed churches needed, so I set out to develop one. The result is the Beloved Community Cohort Project — a program designed to help churches build authentic relationships across racial, denominational, and theological lines of difference. 

The Beloved Community Cohort Project extends beyond small-group engagement into personal and collective transformation, informed by research-and-experience-proven methods for successful engagement.  

A key feature of the program is bi-annual Racial Unity Concerts, fostering fellowship through the arts and the joy of music during Christianity's shared seasons of celebration — Easter and Christmas. The most recent Racial Unity Christmas Concert raised more than $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne and included representation from two cities, three countries, nearly a dozen Christian denominations, and multiple ethnicities — proof that the Church can still model the unity our world needs and longs for.

More than a dialogue initiative, the Beloved Community Cohort Project is a replicable framework that equips churches to practice reconciliation in tangible, sustainable ways — one that can be adapted in communities across the country.

To bring this work to your congregation or fellowship, or to explore becoming a partner, please contact Stephen.