Dear Rainbow Circle Family,
I recently returned from a meaningful weekend in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where I was honored to spend time with our friends at Binkley Baptist Church.
As I reflect on that visit, I find myself thinking of each of you and the important role you play in making AWAB’s ministry possible.
The weekend was filled with opportunities to witness the impact of welcoming and affirming ministry. I spent time with Binkley’s pastor, Marcus McFaul, shared dinner with members of the church’s LGBTQ+ committee, marched alongside church members in Chapel Hill Pride, offered an information session about AWAB during the Sunday School hour, preached during worship, and participated in a luncheon that brought together Binkley members and friends.
The sermon I preached was titled A Gospel Pride Fest. Drawing from Matthew 9, I reflected on how Jesus gathered an unlikely collection of people—tax collectors, religious leaders, the sick, the grieving, and those pushed to the margins—and demonstrated that no label can diminish a person’s worth in the eyes of God. Pride, at its best, reflects this Gospel vision by affirming the dignity of every person and inviting us to build communities where all are welcomed, loved, and able to live truthfully.
One of the highlights of my visit came shortly after I arrived at the church. While meeting members of the staff, the office manager enthusiastically showed me the AWAB Pride Swag Box we had sent. She also proudly displayed printed copies of AWAB’s 2026 Pride Statement. It may seem like a small thing, but for me it was a powerful reminder that AWAB’s work is tangible. Churches are using these resources. Congregations are sharing these messages. People are finding encouragement and support through the witness we offer together.
Truthfully, it was also the first time I had seen our 2026 Pride materials in person. Standing there in the church office, I was reminded that much of what we do happens through emails, Zoom calls, planning meetings, and countless hours of preparation. Sometimes it can be difficult to see the direct impact of that work. Yet there, hundreds of miles from home, I saw evidence of it all around me.
Throughout the weekend, and especially around the dinner table with LGBTQ+ church members and clergy, I heard story after story about the importance of belonging. Again and again, people spoke about how meaningful it is to know that organizations like AWAB exist—that there are churches, pastors, and communities committed to welcome, affirmation, and love. Our presence reminds people they are not alone.
That is why I wanted to write to you just now.
Because every Pride resource we create, every church we support, every pastor we encourage, every gathering we attend, and every story of hope we help foster is made possible in part because of your faithful monthly support.
Your Rainbow Circle gifts help ensure that AWAB remains present, visible, and ready to serve congregations and individuals seeking a more inclusive and affirming Baptist witness. You help make moments like the ones I experienced in Chapel Hill possible.
Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for believing in this ministry. And thank you for helping create spaces where people can experience the kind of welcome Jesus modeled so beautifully.
As Pride Month continues, I remain grateful for our shared witness and hopeful about the work still before us.
Let us continue embodying a Gospel Pride Fest year-round.
After all, Jesus did.
With gratitude,
Brian