The Fig Tree 2026 Spring Benefit Speakers

David Gortner said stories connect people

David Gortner, pastor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Coeur d'Alene and Fig Tree Board member, expressed joy in gathering "as people eager to make a difference, to become leaven in the dough and make small miracles through steady perseverance.

I've had the honor and joy of serving on the board of the Fig Tree for four years. I continue to be impressed with the care, dedication and energy of its staff and volunteers. I am grateful for the stories they share, the connections they build and strengthen, the resources and good work they highlight and the positive influence they nurture here in our strange little corner of the world.

I want to focus on those first two words of our theme: Persist Together. These are essential for the good of our world. To persist is to continue firmly and resolutely on a path through thick and thin, not just when it's smooth sailing but also when it's hard, when there is opposition, when there are barriers or challenges or intermittent failures.

We in this room represent a wide range of organizations and groups making a difference in people's lives – spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, environmentally, economically, educationally. A key part of our work is persistence—the dogged showing up and offering what we can steadily and consistently, building and rebuilding, strengthening and growing, where we can.

The Fig Tree has provided us at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Coeur d'Alene with opportunities to share stories of some ways we are trying to make a difference as we persist in a challenging region—by how we model and provide space for courageous, caring conversation, by how we build purposeful partnerships with other organizations like North Idaho College and the Human Rights Education Institute and by how we help people follow Jesus' profound example of unwavering self-giving. We persisted as the only church visibly supporting NIC faculty and staff through what we might call the "recent unpleasantness." I'm grateful for the ways the Fig Tree has highlighted our work— and the work of so many others. There is a community being built through these shared stories, so we can know we're not alone, so we learn from each other, so we can form partnerships to persist together with creative passion.

The Fig Tree and its comprehensive Resource Directory lay out before us a menu of possibilities, but it's up to us to take the next step—to reach out and connect with others we haven't met yet, to encourage each other and explore ways we can strengthen our impact together.

My wife and I experienced life-changing encounters with leaders of faith-informed organizations during our sabbatical in countries around the Mediterranean. We are happy to talk with you more about the amazing work being done in Morocco, Spain and Albania that involves dedicated interfaith and intercultural partnership and collaboration. The post-communist resurrection of religions in Albania is miraculous and beautiful. We came back inspired and eager to build similar partnerships here.

You'll see more columns from us in the Fig Tree in the months to come, as we share insights and highlight organizations to support, especially with the disappearance of USAID funding. These organizations in other countries are models for us—persisting, forging new partnerships together and adapting to new realities. They are not giving up!

Persisting together begins with getting together and building relationships. Yes, we need courage, passion and confidence to step forward. Yes, we need to stick to it and keep going. Even more, we need each other. So, we need to bring a mix of curiosity, humility and respect to every encounter with each other, to build new relationships, create and sustain partnerships, and keep coming to the table and inviting others to the table. Together is a big word. Let your tents stretch wide!

Let's continue to support the Fig Tree in its persistence of giving voice to the good work being done across our communities, so people will know they are not alone. There are partners for the good work we are all trying to do. We are together in seeking to make miracles possible.

To watch the 2026 Benefit Videos click here.