Profile photo of

Nat Iwata

he/him

Creative Editor & Lead Artist

Nat Iwata has worked as an art director, artist, illustrator, professor and animator on everything from video games to children's books. He lives just west of Amsterdam in the beautiful Dutch city of Spaarndam with his wife and 3 boys, all of whom serve as an endless source of encouragement and inspiration. Nat runs on coffee, very little sleep, and an unshakable desire to create something new.

Artistic impression of article Off The Cuff

Video / LGBTQ+, Testimony, Race, Culture, Guest

Off The Cuff

Sarah Baptiste shares her story through a video interview first published on Off The Cuff.

By Sarah Baspiste,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Can We Gather? Part 3

Article / LGBTQ+, Community, Bright Spots, Allyship

Can We Gather? Part 3

Genevieve shares an excerpt from the Village Metropolitan Community church in Brighton to conclude the three part series on Can We Gather?

By Genevieve Duque Adão,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Can We Gather? Part 2

Article / Community, LGBTQ+, Testimony

Can We Gather? Part 2

Part 2 of Can We Gather? In this article, Genevieve addresses shame.

By Genevieve Duque Adão,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Can We Gather?

Article / Community, LGBTQ+, Testimony

Can We Gather?

Genevieve take's a pilgrimage of churches and tackles the question, can we gather without harming one another?

By Genevieve Duque Adão,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Belief in Belonging:  A Reflection on Going to Church Part 3

Article / Community, Testimony, Relationships, Allyship, Family

Belief in Belonging: A Reflection on Going to Church Part 3

With honor we present the final chapter of Ben's Belief in Belonging. Enjoy this heart moving and personal conclusion, and make sure you read part 1...

By Benjamin Bagocius,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article  Belief in Belonging: A Reflection on Going to Church Part 2

Article / Community, Testimony, Family

Belief in Belonging: A Reflection on Going to Church Part 2

This is part 2 of 3 of Ben's reflections on belonging and the Church.

By Benjamin Bagocius,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Belief in Belonging:  A Reflection on Going to Church Part 1

Article / Community, LGBTQ+, Relationships, Bible, Culture

Belief in Belonging: A Reflection on Going to Church Part 1

Ben kicks off a new series where we ask why we gather. Today Ben reflects on the Nicene Creed. This is part 1 of a 3 part essay from Ben.

By Benjamin Bagocius,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article An Open Letter from Indy

Article / Testimony, Mission, Community

An Open Letter from Indy

Indy shares reflects on the last two years and makes an important announcement.

By Indy Grant,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Healing, Not Hurting

Article / Disability, Testimony, Relationships

Healing, Not Hurting

Andy shares his story and how to compassionately approach praying for others.

By Andrew Davies,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article The Easter Lamb and Jesus of the Scars

Poetry / Relationships, Community, Mental Health

The Easter Lamb and Jesus of the Scars

Melanie writes two poem in response to the article Facing My Own Deaths

By Melanie Mack,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Facing My Own Deaths

Article / Testimony, Mental Health, Community

Facing My Own Deaths

Erin reflects on Easter weekend

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Jeremiad.

Article / Relationships, LGBTQ+, Testimony, Community

Jeremiad.

Melanie shares her lament, or jeremiad, and reaches for the greatest sources of hope.

By Melanie Mack,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Ableism and The Church

Article / Disability, LGBTQ+, Mental Health

Ableism and The Church

Genevieve shares openly and honestly about their experience in the church.

By Genevieve Duque Adão,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article Lament on a Public Platform

Article / Mental Health, Community, Relationships, Testimony

Lament on a Public Platform

Deli publicly shares her in-process lament.

By Deli Macro-Nottage,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Constant One

Article / Testimony

Constant One

Asher shares a constant that gave her hope during times of lament.

By Asher Hollway,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article I Lied, Yes You Lied

Poetry / LGBTQ+, Bible

I Lied, Yes You Lied

Jide shares a poem about his life as a gay Christian.

By Reverend Jide Macaulay,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article My American Church from the Perspective of an Expatriate: A Lament

Article / Community

My American Church from the Perspective of an Expatriate: A Lament

Erin shares her lament

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Church on the Boulevard

Poetry / Community, Family, Testimony, Relationships

Church on the Boulevard

Our creative editor and lead artist Nat Iwata shares a poem about the church imagery formative to his childhood.

By Nat Iwata,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Spark

Poetry / Testimony, Community, Family

Spark

Joann Renee Boswell shares a poem reflecting on growing up in a small town American church.

By Joann Renee Boswell,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Maybe Deuteronomy’s Writer Had Been Kissed by a Man from Sodom

Poetry / LGBTQ+, Bible

Maybe Deuteronomy’s Writer Had Been Kissed by a Man from Sodom

The second part of Benjamin's twin poems.

By Benjamin Bagocius,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Yeshua Guesses Deuteronomy’s Writer Had Never Been Kissed by a Man from Sodom

Poetry / LGBTQ+, Bible

Yeshua Guesses Deuteronomy’s Writer Had Never Been Kissed by a Man from Sodom

Benjamin shares part one of two poems.

By Benjamin Bagocius,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article No Child Is Meant To Crawl Forever

Poetry / Relationships, Conference 2021

No Child Is Meant To Crawl Forever

Asher shares a poem about God's faithfulness.

By Asher Hollway,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Where Are You God?

Poetry / Culture, Guest, Testimony, Conference 2021

Where Are You God?

Avi wrote a poem at our 2021 conference.

By Avinash Aaron,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Queer People in the Post-Pandemic Church

Video / Allyship, LGBTQ+, Relationships, Conference 2021

Queer People in the Post-Pandemic Church

Mark's talk from the conference 2021.

By Mark Ehrenstein,
A 11 min read

Artistic impression of article Women in the Post-Pandemic Church

Video / Gender, Bible, Relationships, Conference 2021

Women in the Post-Pandemic Church

Alicia's talk from the conference 2021.

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 14 min read

Artistic impression of article Racial Equality in the Post-Pandemic Church

Video / Race, Conference 2021

Racial Equality in the Post-Pandemic Church

Cynthia's talk from the conference 2021.

By Cynthia Akinsanya,
A 11 min read

Artistic impression of article Trauma Informed Practices in Churches and Faith Communities.

Video / Mental Health, Community, Conference 2021

Trauma Informed Practices in Churches and Faith Communities.

Deli's talk from the conference 2021.

By Deli Macro-Nottage,
A 11 min read

Artistic impression of article Post-Pandemic Church

Article / Mission, Community, Conference 2021

Post-Pandemic Church

Indy talks about the 2021 conference.

By Indy Grant,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article The Church and Injustice

Article / Relationships, Community

The Church and Injustice

Alida unpacks an important message about God's justice and how we are not called to apathy.

By AKIYE,
A 6 min read

Artistic impression of article Equip The Children

Article / Age, Community, Family

Equip The Children

Cheryl gives us some tips about how we can equip children to build authentic relationships with God.

By Cheryl Johnson,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article The Secret Church

Article / Community, Culture

The Secret Church

Avinash talks about what it was like growing up in a secret church.

By Avinash Aaron,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Eyes Wide Open

Article / Allyship, Bible, Community, Mission

Eyes Wide Open

Indy: I don’t know about you but since we started this project my mind has expanded so much it’s almost overwhelming. I’ve become much more aware...

By Indy Grant & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Ask The Children

Article / Age, Community, Family, Relationships

Ask The Children

Indy looks back on her childhood and argues that our children might be some of the most overlooked members of our congregations.

By Indy Grant,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article 0.5% Faith

Article / Testimony, Relationships, Culture

0.5% Faith

Avi talks about his struggle with faith and how God responds to even 0.5% faith.

By Avinash Aaron,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Lived Experience and Theology

Article / Bible, Gender, Family, Relationships, Mental Health

Lived Experience and Theology

Deli talks about her experience with Trauma Theology, and how our lived experiences bring us closer to God.

By Deli Macro-Nottage,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article The Personal God

Article / Allyship, Bible, Community

The Personal God

Nathaniel discusses how our relationship with God is personal, and how Christians with different experiences should not be silenced.

By Nathaniel Reichley ,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Celebrating All Bodies

Article / Allyship, Culture, Gender

Celebrating All Bodies

Indy discusses her history with disordered eating, and how fatphobia has no place in the church.

By Indy Grant,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Welcome to the New Life

Article / Bible

Welcome to the New Life

Erin and Indy talk about what the resurrection means for us.

By Erin Iwata & Indy Grant,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Jesus Didn't Die, He Was Murdered

Article / Bible

Jesus Didn't Die, He Was Murdered

Erin and Indy discuss the dark truth of Good Friday.

By Indy Grant & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Getting Older

Article / Age, Allyship

Getting Older

Jan explores what she wishes young people knew about older people.

By Jan Pierce,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article The Choosing Human

Article / Allyship

The Choosing Human

Earlier today I went to the Post Office to mail a letter, and as I walked out, I noticed a woman walking up with a large box. She seemed to be holding...

By Nathaniel Reichley ,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article I Am The Church

Article / Mission, Bible, Community

I Am The Church

“The Church” is a rather loose term for a lot of people. To my non-religious neighbors, it conjures up images of cryptic rituals, large stone...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Disillusionment

Article / Testimony, Community

Disillusionment

I was born and raised in the Christian church. My family has attended the same non-denominational church for my entire 30-year life. I, myself, have...

By Kailey Tillman,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Collective Grace

Article / Allyship, Mission

Collective Grace

I’ve been in conversations with a 20 year old aspiring politician. He is brilliant and thoughtful, and most of his political ideas are in complete...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article A Litany for a Worn and Weary World: There is Room at the Table

Poetry / Allyship, Community, Relationships

A Litany for a Worn and Weary World: There is Room at the Table

I know a man who used to be a Christian. Now he runs the other way and lives in sin. He’s ruined his chances with God. **There is Room at the...

By Jan Pierce,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Bibliography for Unfair Nostalgia

Article / Gender, Bible

Bibliography for Unfair Nostalgia

Alicia has provided a complete bibliography to go along with her series, Unfair Nostalgia. You can catch up with each section by clicking on the...

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Unfair Nostalgia Finale

Article / Gender, Bible

Unfair Nostalgia Finale

We have been discussing the role of women in the church, and the unfair nostalgia that many churches use as a lens with which to justify the...

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Poetry / Race, Allyship

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

I had a conversation with a long-time friend. My friend said: “You and I have our differences when it comes to worldview. Here are some of my...

By Jan Pierce,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Unfair Nostalgia Part 3

Article / Gender, Bible

Unfair Nostalgia Part 3

Last week we explored the new “home as haven” concept in Victorian America where women were relegated to be the queens (sans the power and privilege...

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 6 min read

Artistic impression of article Peaches and Coconuts: Allyship and the Church

Article / Allyship

Peaches and Coconuts: Allyship and the Church

When I was getting my undergrad in business in the US, I needed to take a class on International Business. One of the students in the group was an...

By Hadeel McCall,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Unfair Nostalgia Part 2

Article / Gender, Bible

Unfair Nostalgia Part 2

I hope you buckled up last week since we dove right into the backdrop of the American Victorian era, situated amongst the boom and culmination of the...

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Unfair Nostalgia Part 1

Article / Gender, Bible

Unfair Nostalgia Part 1

There is a prominent belief circulating in Protestant Churches, especially American Evangelical churches that women’s roles are, always have been, and...

By Alicia Hovanas,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Happy New Year!

Article / Mission

Happy New Year!

Indy: We did it! We made it to 2021! Happy New Year! Erin: 2020 was formative...and terrible. Indy: Yes, but it wasn’t all bad… at...

By Indy Grant & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Good Stewards

Article / Environment

Good Stewards

Ever since I was young, I've enjoyed the topic of science and the planet. One of my earliest goals in life was to travel into space (still working on...

By Benjamin Grant,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Why I Still Listen to Contemporary Christian Music

Article / Culture

Why I Still Listen to Contemporary Christian Music

*When the toast has burned and all the milk has turned And Captain Crunch is waving farewell When the big one finds you, may this song remind you That...

By Brock Dittus,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article “Follow Me” said Jesus

Article / Race, Testimony

“Follow Me” said Jesus

I am a cis-female born in India to a middle-class set of parents who were both migrants in Mumbai with vestiges of British colonial power affecting...

By Ritsya-el Mathews,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Saltiness Restored

Poetry / Family

Saltiness Restored

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is...

By Joann Renee Boswell,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article My White Life

Article / Age, Race

My White Life

Introduction by Erin Iwata: I was a kid when I met Jan. As I grew, Jan transitioned from a kind adult to a mentor and friend. While I was...

By Jan Pierce,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article LORD

Poetry / Gender

LORD

with every utterance of that word p i e r c i n g my ears, sharp and heavy, I must physically heave shoulders U P under that weight balanced...

By Joann Renee Boswell,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Who Deserves Space at the Table?

Article / Mission, Family, Allyship, Community

Who Deserves Space at the Table?

I’ve found it difficult to talk to some of my Christian friends about this project. I bring up the website, or maybe they tentatively ask, but I can...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article The Church is Our Home Too

Article / LGBTQ+, Family, Community

The Church is Our Home Too

“The church is our home too.” This statement carries with it many feelings, emotions and realities for me. My name is Mark and my history with the...

By Mark Ehrenstein,
A 6 min read