Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister at Middle Church, opened her post‑election reflection with a prayer of gratitude and a hard question: what does the 2026 midterm outcome mean for a nation still divided, and what does it demand of people of faith?
Historic Firsts Prompt Hope
Lewis highlighted several historic victories: Georgia elected Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman governor of any U.S. state, New Mexico chose Deb Haaland as the first Native American woman governor, Ohio elected Amy Acton as its first woman governor, and Abdul El‑Sayed became the first Muslim U.S. senator. She described these milestones as the “stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone,” echoing Scripture that lifts the overlooked to the head of the table.
Election Results Are Not Moral Verdicts
While acknowledging the excitement of many who felt relief, Lewis reminded readers that millions also woke up angry or afraid. She stressed that elections tell us who won, not who we are, and that the true moral test lies in how we act between ballots.
Faith as a Call to Action
Lewis warned that American Christianity has too often been twisted into a tool for power, serving a “gospel of who gets in and who stays out.” She called on white Christians, in particular, to stop the silence that has enabled division. Her appeal is rooted in the example of Jesus, who ate with outcasts and cared for the least of these.
Four Concrete Steps for Believers
- Measure politics by the least of these. Evaluate policies by whether children are fed, the sick are cared for, workers can live on their wages, and strangers are welcomed.
- Protect every voice. Any effort to make voting harder for some Americans is a moral failure, not merely a political tactic.
- Tell the truth about our history. Healing requires naming uncomfortable truths and teaching the whole story.
- Practice ubuntu. Embrace the principle “I am because we are” by listening to relatives who voted differently and loving enemies without compromising truth.
Building a Multiracial, Multifaith Community
Lewis urged readers to join and stay in multiracial, multifaith communities committed to justice, emphasizing that no single election can dismantle centuries‑old foundations. She described this approach as “fierce love”—a love that does not look away from injustice but also does not give up on people.
In closing, Lewis framed Tuesday night’s results as an open door, an altar call for the nation to walk forward together. The victory was not a lap of celebration but an invitation to embody Christ‑like compassion and unity in the days ahead.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
