“A Moment in Time.”

That was the theme for the inaugural Movement Day Bridgeport on June 14, 2025, at Cathedral of Faith Church where leaders from every sector—government, faith-based nonprofits, clergy, and young adults—united around a shared vision for the city’s future.

This “moment in time” in Bridgeport, Connecticut was not missed, according to Rev. Gabrielle Beam, the director of Movement Day Bridgeport (MDB) and pastor of The Rivers Anglican Church.

“God is pouring out His Spirit on Bridgeport to unify the church in a deeper way so that we can get more work done and He can be glorified in the city. It’s undeniable,” she said.

Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim challenged the church community not only to pray for the city but to dream big and act boldly in pursuit of lasting change.

“What is your dream for this city?” he asked.

MDB highlighted four core pillars: marketplace and workforce development, emerging leadership, education reform, and gospel proclamation. These themes were not only discussed but activated, as faith-based organizations like Elevate, Rise to Read, Faith Acts, and Raising Highly Capable Kids united in their mission to address Bridgeport’s education crisis from preschool to high school.

Another highlight of MDB was the passion of Next Gen leaders who were willing to “take on the weight of the problems of affordable housing, homelessness, and education of the next generation,” Pastor Gabrielle said.

MDB also sparked groundbreaking partnerships. For the first time, Catholic leaders joined what had largely been a Protestant-led initiative. Likewise, the historically siloed Black, White, and Hispanic clergy associations were visibly unified. Leaders stood on stage and called for forgiveness, healing, and shared purpose. The symbolic act of reconciliation culminated in spontaneous embraces among pastors and congregants—an emotional display of what it means to be the Church in one heart and one voice.

Connecticut State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Representative Christopher Rosario lent political weight to the day’s themes, with a focus on paid apprenticeships, workforce development, and legislative solutions.

 

Overall, MDB was marked by a spirit of unity, collaboration, transformation and purpose.

Post-event feedback was extremely positive. One pastor sent a text to the organizers of MDB, quoting Psalm 27:13, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

“We must continue the course of unity through the Spirit,” he wrote. “For 30 years, I had hoped to see the body of Christ come together as one in our region.”

In the last decade, a group of 30 to 40 Bridgeport pastors have worked toward transformation in their city through various initiatives and outreaches. MDB not only solidified that foundation but also cast a renewed vision for an even greater impact.

“We are now seeing the beginning of a harvest and a much deeper work,” Pastor Gabrielle said.

THE FIRST MOVEMENT DAY was hosted in New York City in 2010 through the partnership of Dr. Mac Pier and Movement.org and Dr. Tim Keller and Redeemer City to City. Leaders from the church, non-profit, and marketplace communities gathered to celebrate what had been accomplished, examine areas that still needed work, and find tangible ways to collaborate for continued flourishing. In the last 15 years, Movement Day expressions have been hosted in 900 cities across the globe. Find out more at www.movement.org.