On a recent Sunday morning in this small Kansas town, worshippers gathered for service at Grace United Methodist Church. Sunlight filtered in through stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ.
At the pulpit was Pastor Charles McKinzie.
"I use he/him pronouns," he told congregants, "and I welcome you into this space."
McKinzie, who calls himself a lifelong Republican, grew up in a Protestant church that taught that homosexuality and gender diversity are counter to Christian teachings. He says that prompted a crisis of faith when he came to believe that all humans, no matter their gender identity, are made in the image of God — a belief that has become personal for him.
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