Dan and Sandy Adler Named 2026 Alumni of the Year by Crown College
ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. —Crown College has named Dan and Sandy Adler as its 2026 Alumni of the Year, recognizing the married ministry duo for their decades of transformative work in Christian worship, cross-cultural music ministry, and community building.
The Adlers, whose ministry began on the Crown campus in the early 1980s (then known as St. Paul Bible College, or SPBI), have spent more than 40 years using music as a bridge between cultures and a vehicle for the Gospel. From leading a campus band called The Potter’s Clay to founding one of the most ethnically diverse worship ministries in the country, their journey embodies the Crown mission of faith in action.
“For Dan and Sandy, music has always been more than notes and rhythms; it’s a powerful tool for ministry and a reflection of the Creator,” said Alan Niebeling, Director of Alumni Relations. “Their story is a beautiful arrangement of faith, art, and a relentless pursuit of the unity found only in Jesus Christ.”
From Church Growth to a Vision for Unity
After graduating from SPBC in 1983 and 1984, respectively, Dan and Sandy spent more than a decade at the Church of the Open Door in Minneapolis, where Dan served as Minister of Music and Worship from 1985 to 1996. During that time, the congregation grew from 350 to over 5,000, and Sandy led the church’s “Women in Worship” ministry while serving as a featured vocalist and speaker nationwide.
Heart of the City and the Music Factory
In 1996, the Adlers founded Heart of the City Ministries, a diverse, intergenerational worship band with a bold mission: to bring biblical unity to Christians and the Gospel to those who are not yet believers. The band eventually represented 11 ethnicities and blended styles from Native American and East Indian sounds to reggae, salsa, and urban contemporary — modeling through inner-city festivals, reservation performances, and recordings that the language of worship transcends cultural boundaries.
Since 2018, that mission has continued from the Heart of the City Music Factory in Anoka, Minnesota, an event center hosting diverse concerts featuring legendary Christian artists such as Randy Stonehill, Leon Patillo, and Michael Card alongside emerging local talent. The Adlers have recorded eight albums of original music, including their 2023 Christmas project It Was Long Foretold, whose title track features 94 layered vocal recordings in a stunning a cappella arrangement. From the stage of SPBI to the stage of the Music Factory and beyond, they have remained faithful to their call to be “Music with a Mission.”
“Dan and Sandy Adler have faithfully used the gift of music to lead people into deeper worship and a closer relationship with Christ,” said Crown College President Dr. Andrew C. Denton. “Through decades of ministry, they have demonstrated servant leadership, artistic excellence, and a steadfast commitment to the Gospel. Their impact on the Church and countless lives is a powerful reflection of Crown’s mission and values.”
The Adlers will be formally recognized at the 2026 Crown College Alumni of the Year celebration on Friday, September 18, as part of Homecoming Chapel. Alumni and guests are welcome to attend the entire weekend of activities. Details: https://www.crown.edu/alumni/homecoming/
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About Crown College
Rooted in The Christian and Missionary Alliance, Crown College equips students through a biblically-based, faith-integrated education to impact the world for Christ.
Learn more at www.crown.edu/about/mission/.
About Heart of the City Ministries
Founded in 1996 by Dan and Sandy Adler, Heart of the City Ministries uses music to unite followers of Christ across cultural and denominational lines. The ministry is headquartered at the Heart of the City Music Factory in Anoka, Minnesota.
Crown Alumni Contact:
Alan Niebeling
Crown College Alumni Office
alumni@crown.edu
