Are you a victim? a spectator? or an agent of change in our community and our state? Why do we need people-power? How can communities of faith and people of conscience impact policies and budgets for lasting change? Andre and Garrett, organizers with We Make Indiana, will explore these questions with us during our service and in a talk-back session afterwards.

Andre Gingerich Stoner is an organizer with We Make Indiana (formerly the St. Joe County chapter of Faith in Indiana). After college, he spent seven years active in the peace movement in Germany. He served on the pastoral team at Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend for 17 years and then as “neighborhood networker” for the Near Northwest Neighborhood where he lives. He enjoys biking, birding, and learning the accordion.

Garrett Blad has over 8 years of organizing experience. He graduated from Notre Dame in 2015 with a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainable Policy. In his previous role with Faith in Indiana, Garrett ran the largest volunteer-led voter engagement program in the state. He is currently organizing a group of 8 congregations in Porter County to launch a new We Make Indiana chapter. He is also supporting a large-scale voter engagement project at Valparaiso University during the 2024 election cycle.