What becomes possible when churches listen to their community, say yes to new ideas, and follow God beyond familiar boundaries? Participants in the Synod of the Northeast’s October 20 Innovation Laboratories webinar heard two inspiring answers—one through a creative worshiping community, the other through a ministry helping formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs build thriving businesses.
The Rev. Dr. Debra J. K. Bronkema and the Rev. Karen Hernández-Granzen shared candid stories of beginnings, challenges, partnerships, and sustainability. Together, they offered a hopeful invitation: begin with the people God is calling you to serve, and allow those relationships to shape what ministry becomes.
For Rev. Bronkema, the beginnings of Connect Faith emerged in 2018 when an elder at Pleasantville Presbyterian Church could no longer attend Sunday worship because of work. His request for a digital connection opened an unexpected door. Recorded worship reached friends, distant family members, and people who had felt disconnected from—or wounded by—the church.
What began as emailed worship grew through experimentation into a community centered on creativity, spirituality, and justice. Creative gatherings, meditations, music, and opportunities to connect helped people rediscover belonging and explore faith at their own pace. Connect Faith has since helped launch eight worshiping communities, extending its impact by nurturing new ministries.
Pastora Karen described a different path with the same foundation of faithful listening. A shared Bible study brought Westminster Presbyterian Church in Trenton and Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton into deeper reflection on economic inequality. That learning became action through the Trenton Microloan Collaborative, which provides zero-interest loans, accounting assistance, and ongoing support to entrepreneurs who were formerly incarcerated.
The ministry invests in more than businesses. It builds relationships, affirms dignity, and creates opportunities for people facing significant barriers after incarceration. Congregations and community partners support recipients through personal connections, business patronage, and celebrations of their progress.
Both panelists were honest about the work required to sustain a vision. Rev. Bronkema described navigating changing volunteer capacity by celebrating contributions and giving people permission to step away or discover new roles. Pastora Karen recalled funding rejections that made strong partnerships especially important. Support from churches, a banking partner, and other allies helped the collaborative move forward.
Neither ministry relies on a single source of support. Their experiences highlighted the value of cultivating individual donors, developing partnerships, pursuing appropriate grants, and telling compelling stories of impact. Pastora Karen emphasized that the Synod’s Innovation Grants were pivotal: they supported vital personnel and gave the ministry credibility that helped open additional funding opportunities.
The closing conversation offered a challenge for congregations wondering where to begin. Rev. Bronkema encouraged churches to consider the people they are not currently reaching., while Pastora Karen urged them to identify what is harming their neighbors and ask who might join them in responding.
Their stories made one thing clear: a congregation does not need to have every resource or answer before taking a faithful first step. Listening, imagination, and partnership can open possibilities far beyond what any church could accomplish alone.
The video recording of the second Innovation Laboratory series can be found on the Synod’s website.
