1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing the 20th anniversary of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis,
1.3Minnesota.
1.4WHEREAS, on October 5, 2003, Sanctuary Covenant Church was established in the City of
1.5Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the first grand opening worship service celebration was held at Patrick Henry
1.6High School. Between 2003 and 2011, the North Minneapolis-based church grew into one of the region's
1.7most influential and fastest growing churches, focused on biblical justice, racial reconciliation, youth
1.8empowerment, and community development; and
1.9WHEREAS, on May 22, 2011, a major tornado hit North Minneapolis causing significant damage
1.10to the community. Sanctuary Covenant Church began emergency responses to serve thousands of people in
1.11the months following and helped the community to persevere; and
1.12WHEREAS, in 2012, The Efrem and Donecia Smith Young Heroes Scholarship was established to
1.13support youth from Sanctuary Covenant Church from North Minneapolis to pursue higher education; and
1.14WHEREAS, in 2016, land was purchased along Aldrich Ave North and construction of the new
1.15Sanctuary Covenant Church building began under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dennis Edwards. In 2019,
1.16Pastor Edrin Williams became Sanctuary Covenant Church's third Senior Pastor. He recommitted the church
1.17to helping transform the corner of West Broadway and Lyndale Avenues in North Minneapolis; and
1.18WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police in South Minneapolis, leading
1.19to large scale civil unrest in the Twin Cities and beyond. In response, Sanctuary Covenant Church became
1.20a major food and resource distribution site, serving thousands in the Twin Cities; and
1.21WHEREAS, in 2021, Love MPLS was established as sister nonprofit organization to Sanctuary
1.22Covenant Church with the goal of extending the work and partnerships that began during the pandemic and
1.23civil unrest; and
1.24WHEREAS, in July 2022, the Love MPLS Art Garden was created as a peaceful resistance and
1.25healing space on the corner of Broadway and Lyndale Avenues, helping to significantly decrease loitering,
1.26violence, and other negative behaviors in the area; and
1.27WHEREAS, admiration and appreciation goes to the pioneers who established Sanctuary Covenant
1.28Church as a place of worship, to the early church leadership who created a strong family and community
1.29foundation, and to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and congregation members; and
1.30WHEREAS, because of the commitment to faith and community, the doors of Sanctuary Covenant
1.31Church remain open for worship services, ministry, and service to the community; and
1.32NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes
1.33January 26, 2023, as "Sanctuary Covenant Church Day" in Minnesota.
1.34BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.35copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.36Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Sanctuary Covenant Church.

Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate

Kari DziedzicChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Bobby Joe ChampionState Senator, District 59