Rob Sand is appealing to Iowa voters with references to Christianity and Scripture. His reported choice of church carries a warning that Christian voters should examine closely.
The Democratic gubernatorial nominee reportedly attended a congregation that has hosted a drag performer, welcomed a transgender guest pastor and mobilized in support of abortion access. Those activities put the church’s departure from biblical teaching directly alongside Sand’s public emphasis on faith.
Sand, Iowa’s state auditor, regularly attended Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines as of late 2025, according to a local journalist cited by Fox News Digital.
On the campaign trail, he has cultivated an independent image, describing political parties as “poison” and emphasizing his willingness to work across party lines, Fox News reported.
Plymouth’s positions are clearly stated.
Its website says it “has been an LGBTQ+ Open and Affirming congregation for more than 30 years,” according to Fox News. The outlet also reported that the church says it does not take the Bible literally.
The congregation has put those beliefs into practice.
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Plymouth hosted drag performer Flamy Grant for a concert in May 2025. In 2023, transgender pastor Paula Stone Williams served as a guest pastor for a weekend, according to reports cited by Fox News.
Church leaders have also taken their advocacy to the Iowa Statehouse.
In February 2025, Plymouth’s pastors joined a protest “to pray and stand up for our trans and gender nonconforming friends and neighbors,” according to a church Facebook post cited by Fox News.
The congregation held a prayer vigil supporting abortion access in May 2022 and participated in a July 2023 protest against abortion restrictions, the outlet reported.
Sand’s campaign acknowledged disagreements with his church while defending his attendance.
“Rob’s faith is deeply important to him, and like many, he has never found a church where he agrees with everything, but does prefer traditional services with liturgy and classic hymns,” a campaign spokeswoman told Fox News Digital.
Choosing to worship regularly in a congregation that promotes practices contrary to Scripture is itself a warning sign. Christian voters should weigh that choice alongside Sand’s campaign statements. Actions carry meaning, including the spiritual leadership a candidate chooses to sit under.
The concern reaches beyond one election. Churches are entrusted with proclaiming God’s Word. When they embrace teachings that contradict it, the issue is apostasy, with consequences that reach the people in their pews.
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:4-6 grounds marriage in God’s creation of male and female. Psalm 139:13-16 describes His intimate work in the womb. These truths uphold biblical marriage and the sanctity of unborn life.
Jude 3 calls believers to contend for the faith. Christian voters must bring that discernment into the voting booth, examining whether a candidate’s actions support the biblical convictions his religious language invokes.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
