Bernard Emerson
Bernard Emerson is a proud native and lifelong resident of Oakland, California. He works closely with urban churches, coaching and equipping leaders to thrive in complex city environments. Driven by a deep love for his community and a clear sense of God’s call, Bernard partnered with Kyle Brooks to plant Tapestry Church in East Oakland. […]
Libin Abraham
Born in South India, Libin comes from a family of Pastors and has been in pastoral ministry since 2007. Libin received an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he wrote his dissertation on The Development of the Multicultural Church: It’s Roots in the Old Testament, Manifestations in the […]
Mark Hearn
Mark Hearn has been a pastor for more than forty years. Since 2010, he has served as the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Duluth, Georgia, located in the 6th most diverse county in America. In 2017 he wrote the book, Technicolor, telling how his church transformed from a monolithic Anglo-American congregation to a cross-cultural community […]
Oscar Acosta
Originally from Venezuela, Oscar has been dedicated to the Church of the Nazarene since 1995. He has served in various leadership roles, including Work and Witness Assistant for Venezuela, National Coordinator for Nazarene Youth International (NYI), National Camp Ministries Coordinator, and District Superintendent. With a passion for spiritual growth and community engagement, Oscar currently serves […]
RJ Strickland
RJ Strickland is the Co-Pastor at Bend Church of the Nazarene in Oregon. Passionate about diversity and service, he has founded ministry centers, church plants, and launched businesses to support this work. With 25 years in creative ministries like skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, RJ focuses on addiction and recovery ministry, reaching people from all backgrounds […]
George Yancey
Dr. George Yancey is a Professor of Institute for Studies of Religion and Sociology at Baylor University. He has published several research articles on the topics of institutional racial diversity, racial identity, atheists, cultural progressives, academic bias and anti-Christian hostility. His books include Beyond Racial Gridlock (InterVarsity Press) a Christian book which articulates a mutual […]
Michael Emerson
Michael O. Emerson is the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He has authored several award-winning books and articles on Christianity and race. His latest co-authored book is Kingdom Racial Change: Overcoming Inequality, Injustice, and Indifference (Eerdmans 2025). His talk will draw in […]
Dennis Rivera
Dennis J. Rivera serves as the director of the Office of Hispanic and Ethnic Relations for the Assemblies of God national office located in Springfield, Missouri. He has served in this role since 2017. Dennis lives in Springfield, Missouri and has been married to Naomi for 48 years. They have four children and nine grandchildren. […]
Martin Ruarte
Martin Ruarte serves as Supervisor of the National Hispanic District of The Foursquare Church. Originally from Argentina, he immigrated to the United States in 1999, where he soon gave his life to Jesus and responded to God’s call to ministry. For over 24 years, he has served in a variety of leadership roles within Foursquare […]
Markus Lloyd
Markus Lloyd is a writer, performer, husband, and father, committed to using his passion, creativity, and cultural passports to weave the Body of Christ into unity so that the word would run to Jesus. He is the founder/CEO of Threaded where he also co-hosts the popular podcast, Colored Commentary. Threaded is a biblically-based ministry committed […]
