Christian Faith and Public Service / Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

From bipartisan cooperation to prayerful gratitude, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joins Drew Collins to reflect on joy, wisdom, and love of enemy in a divided nation—offering a vision of public service grounded in the way of Jesus.

“Jesus defied expectations—he welcomed the stranger, he fed the hungry, he loved his enemies.”

Together they discuss the role of faith in public life amid deep division. Reflecting on Jesus’s call to love our enemies and the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice always,” she describes how Scripture, prayer, and gratitude sustain her work in the U.S. Senate.

From bipartisan collaboration to the challenges of resisting an authoritarian executive branch, Gillibrand speaks candidly about the challenges of embodying gentleness and compassion in politics, consistently seeking spiritual solidarity with colleagues across the aisle. Drawing on Philippians 4, she testifies to the peace of God that transcends understanding, revealing a vision of political life animated by faith, courage, and joy—all in the spirit of hope, humility, and the enduring call to love in public service.

Episode Highlights

• “Faith is the greatest gift you could have. It grounds me; it reminds me why I’m here and what my life is supposed to be about.”
• “We can disagree about public policy, but we don’t have to be in disagreement as people.”
• “Jesus defied expectations—he welcomed the stranger, he fed the hungry, he loved his enemies.”
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice… let your gentleness be evident to all.”
• “I pray for wisdom every day. Scripture tells us if you ask for it, you will receive it—and boy do I need it.”

About Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand is the U.S. Senator from New York, serving since 2009. A graduate of Dartmouth College and UCLA Law School, she has focused her legislative career on ethics reform, national security, and family policy. Grounded in her Christian faith, she seeks to model bipartisan leadership and compassionate public service. For more information, visit gillibrand.senate.gov.

Helpful Links and Resources

• Philippians 4:4–9 (Bible Gateway)
• Redeemer Presbyterian Church (Tim Keller)
• Gospel in Life Podcast (Tim Keller)
• Chaplain Barry C. Black – U.S. Senate Chaplain
• Kirsten Gillibrand, Official Senate Page

Faith and Division

• Gillibrand describes America’s current political and social moment as deeply divided, weakened by retreat into ideological corners.
• “We’re stronger when we work together—when people love their neighbors and care as if they were their own family.”
• Faith offers grounding amid chaos; social media and tribalism breed extremism and hate.

Following Jesus in Public Life

• Faith clarifies her purpose and sustains her in political life.
• “It makes everything make sense to me.”
• Living “out of step with what’s cool, trendy, or powerful” defines Christian vocation in public office.

Bipartisanship and Common Ground

• Works with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) on crypto regulation, Ted Cruz (R-TX) on first responder support, and Josh Hawley (R-MO) on stock trading bans.
• “If I can restore some healthcare or Meals on Wheels, I’ll go that extra mile to do that good thing.”
• Collaboration as moral practice—faith expressed through policy partnership.

Loving Enemies and Welcoming Strangers

• Draws parallels between Jesus’s ministry and bipartisan cooperation.
• “He would sooner convert a Roman soldier than go to war with him.”
• “If I went to a Democratic rally and said, ‘love your enemy,’ I don’t know how that would go over.”

Testifying to Faith

• Weekly Bible study with Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black.
• “He told us: Testify to your blessings. Share what God is doing in your life.”
• Posts daily blessings on social media, mixing joy and public witness.

The Faith of Democrats

• Counters perception that Democrats lack faith: “There are more ordained ministers and theology degrees on our side than people realize.”
• Mentions Senators Tim Kaine, Chris Coons, Raphael Warnock, Amy Klobuchar, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, all of whom regularly meet and discuss their faith and its impact on public office.

Faith and Policy Differences

• On reproductive rights and LGBTQ equality: “It’s not the government’s job to discriminate.”
• Frames Matthew 25 as central to Democratic faith—feeding, caring, welcoming.
• Compares differing theological interpretations of government’s role in justice.

Joy and Gratitude

• Philippians 4 as daily anchor: “Rejoice in the Lord always… let your gentleness be evident to all.”
• Keeps a five-year daily gratitude journal: “You rewire your brain to look for what is praiseworthy.”
• Rejoicing doesn’t deny suffering; it transforms it into solidarity.

Prayer and Wisdom

• Prays constantly for family, colleagues, nation, and reconciliation.
• “Wisdom’s usually the one thing I ask for myself.”
• Prayer as discernment: deciding “where to put my voice, effort, and relationships.”

Production Notes

• This podcast featured Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
• Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa.
• Hosted by Evan Rosa.
• Production Assistance by Alexa Rollow and Emily Brookfield.
• A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School (faith.yale.edu/about)
• Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: faith.yale.edu/give