In this ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Pastor Stan Mitchell, a Christian pastor with a powerful journey of faith and inclusion. Growing up in a fear-based, exclusivist Christian tradition, he gradually expanded his understanding of God’s love and eventually played a role in his Nashville church’s decision to fully embrace LGBTQ+ members in 2015. Now, he travels extensively, helping Christian families and churches navigate faith and LGBTQ+ acceptance.

Pastor Mitchell discusses the wounds that religious teachings can cause—not just for LGBTQ+ individuals but also for those who uphold exclusionary beliefs out of fear and conviction. Through Jesus’s parables and stories, he illustrates the need for compassion, listening, and standing in solidarity with the marginalized. He challenges allies to move beyond passive support, reminding us that if we’re not feeling the impact of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, we may not be standing close enough.