SPEAKER BIOS
Get to know your Jubilee 2026 speakers
Feyisola Alabi
Feyisola Akintola is a problem solver, creative thinker, and bridge-builder who works at the intersection of people, community, and public service. Born in Nigeria and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, she brings a global perspective and a heart for cities. She has spent her career helping institutions understand and serve diverse communities, believing that places are transformed when people feel seen, welcomed, and connected.
She currently serves as Program Director at Pittsburgh Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on attracting and retaining people in the Pittsburgh region, and also works as a consultant helping organizations strengthen communication and build programs that create real and lasting impact. Previously, she led immigrant and refugee inclusion for the City of Pittsburgh under two mayors, where she worked across government, schools, nonprofits, and community leaders to reduce barriers and help families navigate systems with dignity. Her work often involves bringing structure to complex environments while keeping people at the center.
Outside of her public-facing roles, Feyi is a creative soul who loves design, décor, and working with her hands. Inspired by her love for HGTV, she finds joy in transforming spaces and believes that how we design our environments can reflect culture, bring healing, and spark connection. She loves to read, especially books about how people became who they are.
Feyisola is passionate about faith, mentorship, and building up the next generation. Whether in government, community, or ministry, she approaches her work with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a belief that God cares deeply about how we lead and serve others.
Vincent Bacote
Dr. Vincent Bacote is a Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL.
He is the author of Reckoning with Race and Performing the Good News: In Search of a Better Evangelical Theology (2020), The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life (2015), The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper (2005), and has contributed to books including On Kuyper (2013), Aliens in the Promised Land (2013), Keep Your Head Up (2012) and Prophetic Evangelicals (2012).
He is a regular columnist for Comment Magazine and contributes to other magazines, including Books and Culture, Christianity Today, Think Christian and re:generation quarterly, and journals such as Christian Scholars Review, Urban Mission and the Journal for Christian Theological Research.
He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Christian Ethics.
He resides in the Chicago area with his family.
Jasmine Bellamy
Jasmine Bellamy is a love scholar-practitioner, joyful disruptor, and business and culture transformer. She is the founder of Love 101 Ministries, dedicated to the theology and practice of love, and hosts The Call to Love Experience. Jasmine also leads The LOVING Leader, a purpose-driven, evidence based consultancy transforming leaders and workplace cultures from the inside out. She is the former Vice President of Merchandising, Planning, & Allocation and head of Community & Culture at Reebok, and the creator and co-facilitator of Courageous Conversations, a platform that inspires communal culture transformation. She is among Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 Influential Black Women in Sports. She holds degrees from Syracuse University (BS), Fordham University (MBA), and Fuller Seminary (MA in Theology), where she is pursuing a Doctorate in Global Leadership. Her work integrates faith, scholarship, and strategy to reimagine the marketplace as a space for redemptive love and transformation.
Bella Berna
Bella Berna serves students across Fresno, California as a CCO Ministry Apprentice. She graduated from Malone University in May 2025 with a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry and a minor in Sociology. During her own college years, Bella experienced a growing sense of discontent in her faith. This wasn't from a lack of belief, but from the complexity and uncertainty of that season. She knows firsthand how strange and sacred it can be as students wrestle with identity, belief, purpose, and the unknowns ahead. Because she has lived through the confusion, fear, and wonder of that stage of life, Bella is passionate about walking with students as they discover hope, encounter Jesus in meaningful ways, and grow in courage, identity, and faith.
Daniel Bowman
Daniel Bowman Jr is the author, most recently, of On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity (2021), which won the Academy of Parish Clergy Book of the Year Award, and The Autism Journals, a YA graphic novel forthcoming from Oni Press. He teaches creative writing at Taylor University, where he is Editor-in-Chief of Relief: A Journal of Art & Faith and Faculty Advisor to Students for Education on Neurodiversity (SEND).
Karen Boyer
Karen Boyer, MSW, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is the Middle School and Lower School Counselor and The Health and Wellness Department Chair at The Ellis School, a private independent girls school in Pittsburgh, PA. With the collaboration of her Ellis colleagues, she has created a wellness curriculum for children and adolescents.
Karen teaches about emotional regulation and social cognition through brain-based theory and practice. Her work centers around the value that the counselor has the privilege of providing a space for others to be known and through this process, growth occurs.
Karen received her Bachelors degree from Grove City college and her Masters degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She has spoken at the International Council of Girls Schools conference and the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools conference as well as given numerous talks for the Ellis parent-school community.
Her work and life are built upon a foundation of Ignatian prayer, outdoor movement and a community of family and friends. Her four children, husband Tom, and of course, dog Frankie have been her biggest supporters and teachers all these years.
Josh Brown
Josh serves as the Lead Pastor at Bellefield Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of the university and medical communities of Pittsburgh, and works closely with CCO ministries on multiple campuses. A fifth generation Pittsburgher, Josh is a frequent conference and seminar speaker, leads Directed Studies in Reformed Theology at Trinity Anglican Seminary, and has preached and taught internationally. He also works regularly to mentor, equip, and train those who are entering into ordained pastoral ministry. He holds degrees from Penn State University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his ongoing doctoral work is in workplace theology, ethics, and leadership. When Josh isn't leading, teaching, or engaging in collaborative community outreach, then he's probably reading, running, mountain biking, or hanging out with his wife, sons, and Bernese Mountain Dog.
Ned Bustard
Ned Bustard is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, graphic designer, author, and printmaker. He curates the Square Halo Gallery and is the creative director for World’s End Images and Square Halo Books. His artwork is found in numerous titles, including Bible History ABCs: God’s Story from A to Z, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, and the Every Moment Holy series. Ned is an elder at Wheatland Presbyterian Church, and serves on the boards of the Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art (ASCHA), The Row House, Inc., and the Square Halo Foundation. But probably his most important accomplishment was honoring Beth and Byron Borger by editing A Book for Hearts & Minds: What You Should Read and Why.
Peter Chace
Peter Chace ministers to students at Duquesne University and serves as the Assistant Pastor for Next Generation Ministry at Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in the south hills of Pittsburgh. Peter is an alum of Duquesne University and Trinity Anglican Seminary, and he is passionate about helping others read Scripture, and their own lives, well. Peter, his wife Sarah, and their five children live in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Alex Cook
Alex is the Senior Director of AI Engineering at Gloo, the technology platform for the faith and flourishing ecosystem. He has spent time working in Financial Services and Digital Assets at BNY Mellon. He also is the co-founder of withSoul, an AI company that was founded to leverage AI in our digital life. He is a husband of Victoria of 7 years and the dad of four beautiful young daughters. He holds his bachelor's in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a product of the CCO at Pitt and believes that all we do is a vocation and calling to live for the Kingdom--work especially!
Denise Daniels
Denise Daniels (PhD, Organizational Behavior, University of Washington) is Hudson T. Harrison Professor of Entrepreneurship at Wheaton College. Her scholarly interests include meaningful work, Sabbath, leadership, gender, and motivation. She has written over 50 academic articles and book chapters, and co-authored several books including, Working in the Presence of God (Hendrickson); Religion in a Changing Workplace (Oxford University Press); and Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work (InterVarsity Press). She is on the board of a fintech company and serves as the board chair for the Theology of Work Project (theologyofwork.org).
Ian DeWaard
Ian DeWaard is the Provincial Director for Ontario and Manitoba at the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC). Founded in 1952, CLAC is a national, independent trade union representing more than 60,000 members. It promotes a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to labour relations grounded in Christian social principles of respect, dignity, and fairness. During his more than 25 years with CLAC, Ian has organized and advocated for workers across a wide range of industries. He also lobbies on CLAC’s behalf, advancing reforms related to labour law, apprenticeship systems, and fair procurement practices across Canada. Ian lives in Hamilton with his wife, Tamara, and their four teenage daughters. He is a graduate of Redeemer University.
K.A. Ellis
K.A Ellis’ areas of interest include World Christianity and Ethics, and she’s passionate about preparing the next generations to live faithfully under anti-Christian hostility.
Her research areas include Bible, theology, ethics, human rights and global religious freedom, and has spoken and written often on Christian endurance under persecution.
Mrs. Ellis teaches and disciples young people at her local church on Bible and Global Christianity, and is the Director of the Edmiston Center at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also the Robert Cannada Fellow in World Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Annie Ferret
Annie Ferret is the World Vision Global 6K Race Director and Team World Vision Indianapolis Area Director. She lives in Indiana with her husband Tim, their two sons, Bauer and Maizen, and their dog, King Louis Waffle Burger. It’s a “dude-driven” life, and she loves every minute of it! Their family loves outdoor adventures, and Annie thrives on any kind of challenge – big or small. Annie was first introduced to World Vision through the Global 6K in 2019 and committed during those miles to keep moving for “moms like me with kids like mine” who don’t have access to clean water. These seven seasons with World Vision have allowed her to share miles alongside some of the most incredible world hangers on the planet and given her the chance to run major marathons, 200-mile relays, complete triathlons, and have a blast encouraging others to conquer miles never imagined possible.
Susan Gates
Susan Wharton Gates has over 30 years’ experience in public policy, first as a budget examiner in the Office of Management and Budget and later at Freddie Mac, where she worked for 19 years, becoming vice president of public policy. Susan is the author of Days of Slaughter: Inside the Fall of Freddie Mac and Why It Could Happen Again (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017) and is an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech.
In 2023, Susan became the Executive Director of Faith and Law, a non-partisan organization that equips and encourages congressional staff and Members to more fully understand the biblical worldview and its implications for their calling to the public square.
Susan received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware, a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD in Public Administration from Virginia Tech. She completed the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. She holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Susan lives in Vienna, Virginia with her husband of 42 years. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Dan Garrison Edwards
Dan is campus minister at Eastern University in the greater Philadelphia region, while having also served at West Chester University. He is currently pursuing ordination to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church. He has his Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary. Dan enjoys reading, hiking, Dungeons&Dragons, and cooking new things. He’s also a serious cinephile. He and his wife Libby live in Phoenixville PA, with their two cats and their dog, Franklin.
Nate Glasper
Nate Glasper Jr. is a Resource Development Specialist and Campus Worship Associate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. He serves as Adjunct Professor at Calvin University and the director of the Calvin University Gospel Choir. Nate is the Worship Pastor for Grace for the Nations Church in Grand Rapids, MI., a songwriter, recording artist and has served as a conference leader and workshop presenter for many events in the USA and abroad such as South Korea, South Africa, Guatemala and more.
Megan Gongola
Megan is a Pittsburgh resident, serving as CCO volunteer staff and working full time in a local school district. Megan has a BA in Spanish from IUP and an MaR in Biblical Studies from Gordon Connell Theological Seminary. She has recently returned to school to obtain a MEd in Secondary Education. Megan is married and has two children. She is an avid reader, knitter, and writer. She is happy to pray for any student over the course of Jubilee weekend.
Gail Heffner
Gail Gunst Heffner is an emerita faculty member at Calvin University where she served as the director of community engagement in the Office of the Provost co-founding Plaster Creek Stewards, an award-winning watershed restoration initiative. She has a master’s degree in economic and social development from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD is in urban studies from Michigan State University. She has taught and conducted research at the intersection of social and environmental justice and has publications on environmental racism, community engagement, and place-based education. Her most recent book on reconciliation ecology, Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Ken-O-Sha highlights the damage being done to urban waterways throughout North America and offers ideas to address the plight of our own places. Gail is also a certified spiritual director, an avid photographer and hiker, and especially enjoys spending time with family and friends at the Lake Michigan coast.
Ken Heffner
Ken Heffner is retired from Calvin University after 26 years serving as the director of student activities and the director of the Festival of Faith and Music. During that time, he produced over 600 concerts including Phoebe Bridgers, Andrew Bird, Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews, Over The Rhine, The Decemberists, Julien Baker, Death Cab for Cutie, The National, Lupe Fiasco, Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine, Mavis Staples, The Head and the Heart, fun*, and others. The theme for the Student Activities Office was ‘Changing the conversation about Pop Culture.’ This led to the spiritual practice of interviewing performers in the venue after each concert as well as the creation of the biennial Festival of Faith and Music, a gathering of musicians, producers, music critics, booking agents, and music lovers for concerts and conversation about pop culture from a Christian point of view. Ken has taught and mentored many students in cultural discernment who have gone on to work in diverse fields, having a broad impact.
Drew Hyun
Drew Hyun is the pastor and founder of Hope Church NYC, a diverse church with three locations in New York City. Drew is also the Executive Director of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, an organization that aims to transform church culture through the multiplication of deeply changed pastors and leaders.
Drew graduated from UC Berkeley in California with a major in rhetoric. He later went on to graduate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin).
He has gone on to preach in many different contexts, both in the United States and abroad. His particular passion is for authentic community and for the transformative power of meaningful relationships.
Drew loves cities, ESPN, and naps, and finds it a restful Sabbath when all three come together. He lives in New York City with his lovely wife Christina and their two children, David and Avery.
Carmen Imes
Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Southern California. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Carmen releases weekly "Torah Tuesday" videos on her YouTube channel and you can find her writing on various websites, including Christianity Today, The Well, and The Politics of Scripture blog. Carmen is passionate about equipping the church to engage the Old Testament well and to see its relevance for the Christian life.
John Inazu
John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. His latest book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024). He is also the author of Liberty’s Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020).
Inazu is the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow at Interfaith America and the Trinity Forum. He holds a B.S.E. and J.D. from Duke University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Eric Jeng
Eric Jeng is a former finance professional turned filmmaker and social media storyteller. He is best known for his heartfelt street interviews and real-life conversations with strangers around the world. Through presence, curiosity, and the conviction that every person is created Imago Dei, Eric seeks to uncover both the hidden and the holy in every encounter.
Matthew Kaemingk
Dr. Matthew Kaemingk is the Mouw Chair of Faith and Public Life at Fuller Theological Seminary. His research and writing focus on the intersection of faith, work, and the marketplace. Matthew is the coauthor of a new book Leading Worship for Workers. He is also the founder of Worship for Workers a innovative new initiative developing songs, prayers, and blessings for workers.
Linda Leon
Rev. Dr. Linda Leon is founder and principal of Flourish Ministries, LLC, providing spiritual direction and faith formation opportunities for adults of all ages: www.flourish-ministries.com. She has spent a long career in campus ministry as field staff with the CCO, serving Malone University students in NE Ohio. Linda is an ordained pastor with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and holds certifications in Christian spiritual direction and Enneagram facilitation. The job she loves most is being Mom to her two young adult kids. Give her some free time and she'll most likely kayak, read, watch movies, or hang out with her dog Kona.
Sam Levy
Sam Levy serves the CCO as Area Director for Philadelphia and lives in a delightful neighborhood in Lancaster, PA, with his wife and three kids. Sam is a (perhaps rare) combination of raging extrovert and avid reader, and he loves building community; cooking, baking, and sharing food; and baseball. He’s trying to learn to pay attention.
D.J. Marotta
D.J. Marotta is the founding priest of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord's Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age, Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints From Every Era & Place, and co-host of the Our Church Speaks Podcast. His wife is gracious and his children are clever.
Kara Martin
Kara Martin is the author of Workship: How to Use your Work to Worship God, and Workship 2: How to Flourish at Work; co-author of Keeping Faith: How Christian organisations can stay true to the way of Jesus, and was co-editor of Transforming Vocation: Connecting Theology, Church, and the Workplace for a Flourishing World. She is a lecturer with Mary Andrews College and Adjunct Professor with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston. Kara is also a Visiting Fellow with the Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Public Square and on the Board of the Theology of Work Project in the US. She has worked in media and communications, human resources, business analysis and policy development roles, in a variety of organisations, and as a consultant. Kara has presented, taught and run workshops in churches and theological colleges in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, New Zealand and throughout Australia. She is the 2024 winner of the Australian Faith & Work Award (presented by Ethos/Evangelical Alliance).
Justin McRoberts
Justin McRoberts lives in Martinez, CA. He’s the father of two kiddos, Asa and Katelyn. Along with producing nearly 20 musical projects, he’s written 6 books, including “Sacred Strides: The Journey To Belovedness in Work And Rest”.
Erin Moniz
Rev. Erin F. Moniz (DMin, Trinity School for Ministry) is a deacon in the Anglican Church in North America and Associate Chaplain and Director for Chapel at Baylor University, where she disciples emerging adults and journeys with them toward healthy, gospel-centered relationships. She is a trained conciliator, mediator, and conflict coach. She enjoys content creation, playing music, being outdoors, and narrating the inner monologue of her two cats. She lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband, Michael.
David Montague
David Montague is the founder and executive director of the Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) which began in 2009. David is a Pahara Aspen-Institute Fellow (2017) and serves on the Advisory Board at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Institute for Faith & Education (LIFE). Prior to MTR, David served for two years (2005-2007) with Campus Crusade for Christ in East Asia. From 2000-2005, David was the Executive Director of Service Over Self, an urban community development and home repair ministry. From 1987-2005, David was an investment broker with Morgan Keegan & Co., and served as Managing Director from 1993-2005. David, a lifelong Memphian, graduated in 1986 from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor's degree in finance. He has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 1992 and they have five daughters. Outside of family and work, David enjoys cycling.
Steve Montgomery
In 2007, Steve Montgomery and his wife, Melanie started Lamppost Farm, a non-profit organization in Columbiana, Ohio that uses agriculture to reach and teach others. New to farming after 14 years of campus ministry, they moved from campus ministry after Steve’s father passed away at age 50 from colon cancer, directly related to a poor food system. Their intentions were two-fold:
Lamppost Farm would become contributors to the health and well-being of people through the production of good healthy food, participation in real work, and discovery of right relationships with one another.
The space created through agriculture would introduce healthy, real, and right relationship with God and the redemption bought by His son, Jesus.
Steve spent 14 years working for the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, where he started a wilderness ministry that facilitated ropes course and back country experiences. These experiences included building ropes course near Nairobi, Kenya; spending countless hours in caves with students; and winter camping in the mountains of Wyoming. While at Westminster, he developed and taught a Master of Adventure Education program. But the Lord had other plans for Steve’s life in agriculture. Steve is a husband, father of four, and friend. But vocationally, he is a student first and a teacher second. Farming is where he works that out.
He recently handed off the reigns of Lamppost Farm and is excited to be part of a new company called Fireberry with a mission of planting and powering regenerative farms!
Jonathan Moore
Jonathan Moore is a speechwriter in the U.S. Senate, where he covers national security, economic development, and health care, among other policy issues. He is always trying to figure out how the story of God’s creation and redemption applies to politics and everyday life. Over the years, he has studied the integration of faith, work, and politics in coursework and in various fellowships but believes it is best discerned in community. Jonathan is most at home in the Southeast but now loves living in Washington, D.C., where he is a member of Grace Meridian Hill church.
Rob Musser
As a member of the Mobilization Team, Rob helps believers remember their first love and explore where Jesus would have them join His Kingdom work around the world. His early experiences with missions in Australia and the Dominican Republic helped him see life as a gift to be stewarded for Jesus’ Kingdom purposes.
Rob has a B.F.A. in graphic design from James Madison University. For 12 years he worked as a visual designer creating brand identities, marketing touchpoints, and digital solutions for startups and Fortune 500 companies. During an outreach trip in 2017, Jesus captured the hearts of Rob and his wife with what He was doing in multicultural North West London through a small Serge church plant. Rob and his family joined the team in 2020 where—alongside making friends, meals, and lots of chai—he spent the next five years organizing youth programs, community events, and outreach trips.
Rob lives in Richmond, Virginia, where he loves discussing books and films with his wife, playing board games with his three kids, and taking afternoon naps. If you’re into pickleball, strategy games, or missional living, call Rob—he wants to hang!
Don Opitz
Don Opitz has served at a number of small colleges (Westminster, Gordon, Geneva, Messiah, and now Grove City) in various capacities, but always with this end in mind: nurturing deeper faithfulness in college students. Once upon a time he served the CCO as director of training, and he has been to almost every Jubilee for the last 40 years. Together with his dear friend Derek Melleby he penned Learning for the Love of God to encourage students to plumb the life-giving depths of the gospel of the kingdom in their academic field and in all the life-fields of the Lord.
Don pursued theological and pastoral training at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and followed that up with PhD work in religion and culture at Boston University. His present post is as the chaplain and senior director of Christian formation at Grove City College.
Jay Pathak
Jay Pathak is the National Director of Vineyard USA. He also serves as the Lead Pastor of the Mile High Vineyard, a family of neighborhood churches in Denver, that he and his wife Danielle, planted in 2001.
Jay co-wrote the book, The Art of Neighboring, with Dave Runyon. His passion for sharing his faith with the people around him is at the center of his calling.
Jay is a humble, empowering leader who is passionate about raising up leaders around him. His strengths, in particular, lie in strategically placing people on teams where they thrive. Additionally, he regularly thinks of ministry in context of culture and developing relationships and partnerships in the city, government, and across denominational lines.
Jay has led in various contexts throughout the Vineyard starting as an intern for Rich Nathan at the Columbus Vineyard in his early ministry days, and stretching into various positions of translocal leadership including serving on the Vineyard USA Executive Team for many years. He is a sought-after speaker and coach, while keeping strong ties to the local community.
Jay has a BA in Philosophy from The Ohio State University and is a graduate of the Vineyard Leadership Institute. Jay met his wife, Danielle, in high school and they were married in 1998; they have two beautiful daughters, Jasmine and Sofia.
Whenever possible, you’ll find him on the golf course, hanging out with his friends and family, or enjoying a nice scotch. Maybe all together!
Timotheus Pope
Timotheus Pope is a passionate, fun-loving, cartoon-crazed, out of the box, little boy trapped in a grown man’s body. He is the President of Citikidz a Christian sports ministry where the staff is dedicated to teaching, training, and transforming urban America through culturally relevant Christian sports camps. He and his wife, Kendra, have eight amazing children: Simeon, Jada, Kayla, Judah (went to be with Jesus in January 2025), Susanna, Charity, Asher, and Haven.
Doc Powell
Doc Powell is a campus minister at the University of Pittsburgh, currently in his third year. He serves alongside CCO veteran, Gene Tibbs, leading Sankɔfa Gatherings, a ministry focused primarily on serving Black students and students of all ethnicities to transform the world for Black people and all people”. His passion for racial justice is born of his conviction that Christ’s promise to “make all things new” includes Black culture/identity.
Mary Kathryn Praamsma
Mary Kathryn Praamsma serves as the Director of Student and Early Career Engagement with the Center for Public Justice. Her passion for flourishing communities, especially in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, drew her to public service. After graduating from Wheaton College (IL), she worked on Capitol Hill. She most recently served in the Office of Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and additionally worked with the House Committee on Administration and the Office of Senator Bob Casey (PA). She is married to a fellow running enthusiast from Vermont.
Lyndsey Ratchford
Lyndsey Deane Ratchford, or LDR is World Vision’s Senior Director of National Donor Engagement. As a catalytic leader and charismatic communicator, Lyndsey is a fierce advocate for water, women and girls to reach their full potential. Lyndsey’s passion is to see everyday men and women recognize their own power and leverage it for the betterment of the world. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, Lyndsey has an MA in Intercultural Studies and a concentration in International Development. LDR is an avid proponent of high fives, Ted Lasso, and Trader Joe’s Chai Tea Latte Mix. She is currently living the dream in Cleveland Heights, OH, with her 6-year-old daughter, Thea, and husband, George.
Nancy Reams, DVM
Nancy Reams, DVM, has been a practicing equine veterinarian for over 40 years. She has viewed her profession as a way not only to care for animals but also for the people who own them. She feels that God places believers in every profession, thereby reaching people that might not otherwise have any other contact with the gospel.
Dr. Reams has been a resident of Maryland since age 7, except for her years in Indiana while attending Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she returned to Maryland to practice. She owned her practice for 9 years before cutting back to part-time hours to homeschool her three children. She has been active in her church for several decades as a Bible teacher, homeschool coordinator, and a participant in multiple outreach ministries. She currently volunteers several hours each week to help children in an underserved community with their academic skills.
Dr. Reams loves her family, her pets, riding horses, kayaking, and going camping. She lives with her husband and 10 animals, ranging from an aquatic frog up to horses. She and her husband have 3 grown children, one of whom is Julie Deibert, the CCO Campus Minister at IUP!
Matt Rehder
Matt Rehder is a lifelong follower of Jesus and is 15 years into a career in electrical engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in Software Engineering from Penn State University. He worked at Naval Nuclear Laboratory in West Mifflin, PA from 2010 to 2023, specializing in the design and test of instrumentation and control systems for nuclear-powered propulsion plants for the United States Navy. He currently serves as a rocket scientist at United Launch Alliance in Centennial, Colorado, where he leads an engineering team responsible for airborne avionics components for the Atlas and Vulcan vehicle lines. As a leader in a technical field, Matt always endeavors to balance showing the love of Jesus to his teammates, ensuring the safety of the public, and supporting the business success of his employer.
Meghan Salas
Meghan Salas ministers to students at Brookdale Community College as a CCO Volunteer. Meghan graduated from Boyce College in 2022 with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. "My college years were the most formative time in my life spiritually," says Meghan. "To have an opportunity to watch the lives of college students change through an encounter with Jesus excites me more than anything. We exist in a time of deep hopelessness and sorrow, but we can witness the lives of students totally change by sharing the Gospel with them."
Phil Schiavoni
Phil Schiavoni is the CCO Area Director for Central Pennsylvania and was previously a CCO campus minister to Shippensburg University students. He is the co-host of two podcasts (the Three Books from Hearts & Minds podcast with Byron Borger; The Invitation Podcast with Kyle Matthews) and aspiring author over on his Substack (philschiavoni.substack.com). Phil combines creativity, history, humor, and vulnerability in his speaking and writing that will help you know God and Scripture in new and refreshing ways. Phil lives in Shippensburg, PA, with his wife, Lindsay, two children, Kaylee and Eden, has the best friends anyone could ever want, and loves games of all kinds.
Emily Shrader
Emily is the Program Leader for Discipleship Training at Serge, an interdenominational mission sending organization. She and her husband, David, and their three children, Mae, Wesley and Miriam, served with Serge in North Africa for more than a decade. Emily has a bachelor's degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and Youth Ministry from Gordon College and has studied Biblical Counseling with CCEF. Before leaving for the field, Emily worked in youth and campus ministry (she is a CCO staff alum!), participated in Community Bible Study Leadership and partnered with David as he pastored a small, inner-city church in Pittsburgh, PA. While in North Africa, Emily worked alongside David as he pastored an International Fellowship and trained local pastors.
S. Joshua Swamidass
Dr. S. Joshua Swamidass MD PhD is a physician, and scientist, an associate professor at Washington University in Saint Louis. Dr. Swamidass runs a computational biology group using artificial intelligence to explore science at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and medicine. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement Science (AAAS) and the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), the founder of Peaceful Science, and author of The Genealogical Adam and Eve.
Michael Swanson
Michael Swanson serves the CCO as National Director of Staff Development.
Mike first joined staff as a Fellow, and later, full-time at Penn State University Park.
“I believe that the college campus is the most strategic mission field in the world. Young men and women come from all over the world to campus. When they leave, they’ll return to every corner of the globe. I pray that we would see their lives changed through the power of the Gospel, and they would leave campus with the desire and skills to serve the world and the Church for the sake of the Kingdom.”
Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson reaches out to students at Arcadia University in partnership with New Life Glenside.
Ben graduated in 2014 from Grand Canyon University with a BA in Biblical Studies, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary.
"When I was in college, I came close to leaving the faith and my church community," says Ben. "It was local campus ministers who brought me back from the brink. I want to give back what was given to me and to see God's Kingdom spread through the lives of college students as it has since the foundation of His Church! Jesus chose a group of 12 18- to 25-year-old disciples to build His Kingdom. His heart for college students has not changed, and neither should ours."
Paul Van Der Werf
Paul’s life trajectory was set when he tithed his career in Amsterdam after college. He’s lived in three countries and visited all 50 states, constantly hunting for hidden gems and connecting with people from all sorts of backgrounds. Paul founded GoCorps in ‘09 to help Christians in their 20s follow Christ among the nations. Paul’s mildly fanatical about city biking, Airbnb and lime green. He’s living the #dadlife in South Minneapolis with his three soccer star sons and wife Julia who fights injustice and loves all things Pittsburgh.
Sam Van Eman
Sam Van Eman is a Resource Specialist for the CCO’s Experiential Designs team, where he co-creates transformative opportunities for college students. He is the author of two books: Disruptive Discipleship and On Earth as It Is in Advertising. Sam has taught in barns and boardrooms, canyons, classrooms, and auditoriums, and he is known for an out-of-the-ordinary mix of playfulness, experiential teaching, and love for Jesus. He once drove students 500 miles to see his favorite tree (and they loved it).
Todd Wahrenberger
Jack Todd Wahrenberger, MD, MPH, is an experienced Family Physician and healthcare executive currently serving as Chief Medical Officer at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After earning his medical degree and Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Wahrenberger co-founded the North Side Christian Health Center in 1994. Under his leadership as Medical Director until 2011, this Federally Qualified Health Center significantly expanded healthcare access to uninsured and underserved populations in Pittsburgh’s inner city.
His primary areas of expertise include integrated primary and behavioral healthcare, collaborative care models, leadership in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC), street medicine, medical respite programs, and physician executive leadership.
-
In 2012, Dr. Wahrenberger joined Pittsburgh Mercy to establish an integrated primary care clinic as part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) grant initiative. Today, this clinic provides comprehensive medical and mental health services for over 3,000 individuals. Since becoming Chief Medical Officer in 2017, Dr. Wahrenberger has overseen a multidisciplinary clinical team, including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and primary care providers, supporting the organization’s certification as a Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Under his guidance, Pittsburgh Mercy offers a wide array of services, including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), crisis intervention, partial hospitalization programs, adult and pediatric outpatient mental health, outpatient primary care, street medicine, medical respite, and specialized services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Wahrenberger also contributes at a national level as a member of the Medical Director Institute at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, providing thought leadership on clinical best practices and policy for community mental health and integrated care.
Additionally, Dr. Wahrenberger serves as a primary care expert on the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council, appointed as a clinical expert in December 2023. In this role, he advises on state-level initiatives aimed at enhancing access, affordability, and coordination of mental health and substance use disorder services across Pennsylvania. His work with the Pennsylvania Council includes fostering collaboration among state agencies, local governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations to address systemic barriers and improve behavioral health services statewide.
Derrick Weston
Derrick Weston is the director of theological education and formation at Creation Justice Ministries, an ecumenical organization helping churches, denominations and individuals to restore, rightly share, and protect God's Creation. Derrick is a writer, filmmaker, podcaster, speaker, and educator whose most recent work has focused on the intersection of food and faith. He is the co-host of the Food and Faith podcast and producer of Spoon, Spade, and Soul, a podcast highlighting food and land-based ministries in the Episcopal church. Additionally, he is the producer of the short film series "A Wilderness Like Eden" highlighting the work of churches engaged in food justice work.
After two decades of being a pastor and community organizer, Derrick is a strong believer in the potential of local congregations to enact change in their communities. Derrick received his B.A. in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh and his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also has a certification in health ministry from Wesleyan Theological Seminary and was a part of the Re:Generate fellowship on food, faith, and ecology through Wake Forest Divinity School. Derrick is the co-author of the book The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration and the forthcoming Food For All: A Part of the Building a Moral Economy Series. as well as numerous articles for several publications. He and his wife Shannon have four children and live outside of Baltimore, Maryland but will soon be moving to Pittsburgh.
Chris Young
Chris is a leader and innovator in faith-based organizational leadership, design, and development, serving is the President of The Good Place Institute (a Good Place Holdings company). He is also Chief of Staff at Good Place Holdings and co-author of the book, The Good Place Organization: A Leader’s Guide to Stewarding Good Place Organizations. Chris has spent over twenty years researching and developing Biblically-based approaches, methods, and resources while leading and helping others build and steward for-profit and non-profit organizations where the organization thrives, individuals flourish, communities prosper, and the world becomes a better place, where organizations achieve success from a Biblical worldview through valuing people, building up Good Places in the communities where we live and work, and being good stewards of our economic resources.
Erica Young Reitz
Erica Young Reitz is the founder of After College Transition – an organization that helps practitioners (higher education professionals, church leaders, and college ministers) get the proven resources they need for equipping students to thrive after college. She brings 20 years of experience working with college students, which includes a 14 year tenure with the CCO, directing Senior EXIT. Her graduate research focus on the senior year transition (MA in higher education from Geneva College) fueled her first book, After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationship and Faith (IVP, 2016), and her writing on the topic of the senior year transition has appeared in numerous publications, including Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, and The Gospel Coalition.
Erica works as a Leadership Development Specialist for Bartell & Bartell, helping individuals and teams uplevel their leadership and unleash their organizational potential. She also serves as part-time teaching faculty for Geneva College’s master’s in higher education program.
She lives in State College, PA with her husband, Craig, two children (Hannah and Aaron), and an energetic miniature Schnauzer (Boaz). In her free time, Erica enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, cooking and eating new foods, or curling up with a good novel.