TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — Redeemer City Church, which launched in September with a stated commitment to being "above the fray of political division," was founded by a pastor who spoke at three campaign rallies in the 14 months prior to the church's public launch, a review of event records and social media confirmed.
"We are not a political church," said founding pastor Kyle Hartwell, 38, in a video posted to the church's Instagram account last week. "We are a Jesus church. We are a place for people who are tired of the culture war, tired of being told who to vote for, tired of church being a political event."
Hartwell spoke at a campaign rally in Tuscaloosa in July 2024, a candidate meet-and-greet fundraiser in Hoover in September 2024, and a post-election celebration event in Birmingham in November 2024. He delivered a brief invocation at each.
He said the invocations were pastoral in nature, not political.
"I was invited to pray," Hartwell said. "Pastors pray at events. That's not a political act. That's a spiritual act."
He was asked whether he had been invited to pray at events for candidates from other parties. He said he had not been asked.
He said he would be open to it.
Redeemer City Church held its first service on September 14 at the Trussville Civic Center. Attendance was 312. Hartwell described it as a "Spirit-led" launch. The church's website states that it is "for everyone, regardless of political affiliation."
The church's first sermon series was titled "Kingdom, Not Country." It ran six weeks. The final week's message was titled "What Faithful Citizenship Looks Like."
Hartwell said the series was not political. He said it was clarifying.
Redeemer City Church holds services Sunday mornings at 9 and 11. The church does not currently have a permanent building. Hartwell said they are in a season of discernment about next steps.