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Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, a Louisville Christian writer and activist, launched The Resistance Prays, a daily devotional for progressive Christians. Graves-Fitzsimmons is listed as a faith leader to watch this year by Center for American Progress and will be releasing a book in 2020 called "Just Faith." Nov. 22, 2019(Photo: Alton Strupp/Courier Journal)

With 2020 on the horizon, the Courier Journal peppered questions on a number of influential Kentuckians for their view on the new years priorities, opportunities and challenges. This is the secondin the series.

Christian writer and activist Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons has made Louisville home.

A Texas-native,Graves-Fitzsimmons and his now-husband moved to Louisville in 2016, just before the presidential election. To sort through the chaos post-election,Graves-Fitzsimmons created a daily, online Christian devotionalcalled"The Resistance Prays."

The free, uplifting newsletter has thousands of followers and gets new subscribers every day. The goal? To equip progressive Christians with theology and prayer in their activism.Graves-Fitzsimmons wants to dispel the false stereotype that all Christians are conservatives.

"I was wanting a spiritual resource to get me through the crazy political landscape and the everyday barrage of attacks on every kind of person who wasn't a white, Christian, conservative person,"Graves-Fitzsimmonssaid of creating "The Resistance Prays."

He was inspired byresistance efforts, likethe women's and climate marches, and was desperate tofind the people who were praying and acting,he said.

"I hated how in regard to gun violence, Republicans would say 'thoughts and prayers' and Democrats would say 'we need action, not prayers,'"Graves-Fitzsimmons said. "It's a false divide. I think we need both. Prayer and action."

Now, his work is inspiring Christians and the LGBTQ community all over the country.Since starting the daily devotional, people often reach out to say "I had no idea there were other people like me."

Graves-Fitzsimmons has degrees from American University and Union Theological Seminary. He's worked in the White House, in churches and nonprofits, has written several op-edsfor CNN and the Washington Postand has been listed asa faith leader to watch in 2020by the Center for American Progress.

At Highland Baptist Church,Graves-Fitzsimmons leads a weekly study group with local church members. Lately he's been discussing with the grouphis new book, coming out in 2020, called"Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity."

"The point of my book is to encourage Christians to be loud and stand up against the hate that's being used in the name of God," he said.

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We caught up with Graves-Fitzsimmons to learn more about his work, his vision for Louisville and what to expect from him in 2020.

Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons:My priority for 2020 is to try my best to follow the example of Jesus Christ and co-create the kingdom of God here in Louisville, in our nationand in our world. The most pressing moral concern for our nation in 2020 is defeating President Donald Trump. And second to that is defeating Sen. Mitch McConnell. Trump and McConnell seek to enrich the wealthy, demonize immigrants, deny the image of God in LGBTQ people, deny access to health careand profit off climate destruction. They fail to live up to the most basic understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.

Graves-Fitzsimmons:Conservative Christians in Louisville have twisted the Gospel to serve their own agenda of greed, bigotry, and power. Would Jesus build a wall? How would Jesus react to climate change? Who did Jesus exclude? These basic questions are ignored because they can't be answered with Republican talking points. The biggest obstacle to change is conservative Christians have become accustomed to controlling the narrative about Christianity in public life. That's going to change, but they won't give up without a fight.

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Graves-Fitzsimmons:I'm deeply inspired by our city's commitment to religious pluralism. We're not just committed to religious freedom for all, but put that belief into practice by fostering a sense of appreciation for what other religions bring to our city. At a time when we're witnessing a rise in hate crimes and far-right violence targeting religious minorities, Lousiville's compassion and inclusive policies are a beacon of hope.

Graves-Fitzsimmons:I created the "Resistance Prays" to equip progressive Christians to spiritually and politicallydefeat Trumpism. After the election of Donald Trump, I witnessed so many Christians putting their faith into action by resisting the white nationalism and anti-Christian policies of the Trump administration. Several of our writers and many of our readers are in the Louisville area, and we will be continuing to follow Jesus by standing up for social justice and the common good in 2020.

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Graves-Fitzsimmons:There is a long tradition of progressive Christianity in the United States. Christians have been active in the movements for racial justice, immigration reform, reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, global peace, and caring for the environment (just to name a few). Sadly, most of what we hear about Christians today in the public square is conservatives making excuses for Trump's immoral agenda. Don't get me wrong: Louisville has its share of fundamentalists. But we also have thousands upon thousands of Christians in this city who support social and economic justice. Organizing and equipping progressive Christians will help us reclaim the narrative of what it means to follow Jesus.

Graves-Fitzsimmons:"Just Faith" is my love letter to progressive Christians. As I've traveled across the country, I've met so many Christians who say a version of "I'm a Christian, but not that kind." We are so tired of conservatives betraying the message of love and radical inclusion that Jesus preached. My book offers a word of encouragement by reminding us of our bold tradition, explaining how we ended up in such a bad situation, and offering a hopeful vision of "Christianity" not being synonymous with "conservative" any longer.

Reach culture and diversity reporter Savannah Eadens at seadens@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at@savannaheadens.

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This nationally recognized LGBTQ faith leader to watch for in 2020 is based in Louisville - Courier Journal