Bridging the ‘Black-Blue Divide’ — One Congregation at a Time
Bridging the Black-Blue Divide Through Faith and Community
Held each year on the second Sunday of October, Faith & Blue is designed to strengthen connections between police and communities by encouraging dialogue in houses of worship.
For the third consecutive year, Set the Captives Free Outreach Center will participate, opening its doors to foster trust between congregants and officers.
Conceived in 2020, Faith & Blue is the brainchild of MovementForward, Inc., a social justice nonprofit. After Sunday service, officers take questions from the congregation, then engage with young people over pizza and board games — a simple but powerful act of relationship building.
Growing up the daughter of a police officer, Heather Berry witnessed her father’s dedication to serving and protecting the community. Now, as the social action committee director for Set the Captives Free Worship Center in Woodlawn, Maryland, Berry continues that mission by bridging faith and law enforcement.
“We want police officers to know our community, and we want the community to know police officers,” says Berry. “So when we interact, it is a positive interaction.”
Berry’s congregation is among nearly a thousand churches nationwide taking part in Faith & Blue — transforming worship services into spaces for dialogue, prayer, and youth engagement.
Officers answer questions, share meals, and play games with children and teens, creating genuine connection beyond uniforms and badges.
According to Rev. Markell Hutchins, CEO of MovementForward, the initiative aims to rebuild trust and foster inclusion:
“Transformation is necessary, but law enforcement can’t do it alone,” he explains.
“Faith-based organizations are uniquely positioned to help communities and officers see one another as partners in peace.”
For Berry, the weekend holds deep personal meaning. “My father and my pastor’s father were both police officers,” she says.
“We hear so much about those who don’t do the right thing, but I’m grateful for the honor and respect my father earned.
Faith & Blue gives us a chance to build on that legacy — to tap into what’s possible when faith and service meet.”
Across the country, congregations host similar events — from resource fairs for unhoused residents in Washington, D.C., to youth gatherings and community celebrations in Maryland and New York.
Each event embodies the same purpose: to bring people together in faith, trust, and shared humanity.
Source: Word in Black
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Snippet
Faith & Blue is a national initiative started by MovementForward, Inc. in 2020 that partners law enforcement agencies with faith-based organizations to foster dialogue, trust, and cooperation between police and the communities they serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Faith & Blue?
The goal is to strengthen relationships between police officers and residents by encouraging open dialogue, shared worship experiences, and community service activities.
When is Faith & Blue Weekend observed?
It’s held annually on the second weekend of October across the United States.
Who organizes Faith & Blue?
The initiative was created by MovementForward, Inc., a nonprofit focused on civil and human rights, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies nationwide.
How do congregations participate?
Churches, mosques, temples, and community organizations host gatherings that include worship, meals, games, and conversations between officers and residents.
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