Examples for changing the query args on a Six/Ten Press Featured Content widget.

functions.php

<?php

add_filter( 'sixtenpressfeaturedcontent_query_args', 'prefix_modify_widget_query', 10, 2 );
/**
 * Set a custom order on the widget output.
 * Outputs retreats for https://thesoulcareproject.org/ starting with the next upcoming retreat.
 * @param $query_args
 * @param $instance
 *
 * @return mixed
 */
function prefix_modify_widget_query( $query_args, $instance ) {
	if ( 'retreat' === $instance['post_type'] ) {
		$query_args['orderby']      = 'meta_value post_date';
		$query_args['meta_key']     = '_retreats_start_date';
		$query_args['meta_value']   = strtotime( date( 'Ymd' ) );
		$query_args['meta_compare'] = '>=';
		$query_args['order']        = 'ASC';
	}
	return $query_args;
}

add_filter( 'sixtenpressfeaturedcontent_query_args', 'prefix_show_parent_posts', 10, 2 );
/**
 * For a ministry custom post type which allows child posts/pages, make sure the
 * widget only shows top level posts/ministries.
 * @param $query_args
 * @param $instance
 *
 * @return mixed
 */
function prefix_show_parent_posts( $query_args, $instance ) {
	if ( 'ministry' !== $instance['post_type'] ) {
		return $query_args;
	}
	$query_args['post_parent'] = 0;

	return $query_args;
}