2 0 2 1 T H R E A D E D V I R T U A L C O N F E R E N C E

CONFERENCE PRESENTERS

THE NEXT EVANGELICALISM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH

SOONG CHAN RAH is formerly the founding Senior Pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, a multi-ethnic church living out the values of racial reconciliation and social justice in the urban context. He has previously served on the boards of World Vision, Sojourners and the Christian Community Development Association.

He has extensive experience in cross-cultural preaching. Soong-Chan has been a main stage speaker at the Urbana Student Missions Conference, the Congress on Urban Ministry, the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference, the CCDA National Conference, the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary National Preaching Conference, the Fuller Missiology Conference, the Justice Conference, and Verge, Catalyst, and Calvin Worship Conferences.

Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah is Robert Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of The Next Evangelicalism; Many Colors, Prophetic Lament, ; co-author of Forgive Us, Return to Justice, and Unsettling Truths.

Soong-Chan received his B.A. from Columbia University; his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; his Th.M. from Harvard University; his D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Duke University.

A BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF RACIAL UNITY

MONDAY, MARCH 8TH

BRYAN LORITTS is the privileged husband of Korie, and the graced father of three sons--Quentin, Myles, and Jaden. He serves as a teaching pastor at The Summit Church in North Carolina. He is the award-winning author of seven books including Saving the Saved: How Jesus Saves us From Try-Harder Christianity into Performance-Free Love, which was given the Christianity Today Award of Merit, and his latest release, The Dad Difference.

Dr. Loritts co-founded Fellowship Memphis in 2003, and later founded The Kainos Movement, an organization committed to seeing the multiethnic church become the new normal in our world, where he serves as president. In addition to his responsibilities as a pastor, Dr. Loritts travels extensively throughout the world preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ at conferences and events, as well as serving on the board of trustees for Biola University and Pine Cove Christian Camps.

HOW TO HANDLE CONTENTIOUS CONVERSATIONS

SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH

DARRELL L. BOCK is Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, as well as Executive Director of Cultural Engagement for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership there. Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books (including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus) and has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction.

He works in cultural engagement as a host of the seminary’s “The Table” podcast. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) for 2000–2001 and was a consulting editor for Christianity Today for several years. His articles appear in leading publications and he is often an expert for the media on New Testament issues.

He currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College, Chosen People Ministries, Christians in Public Service (CIPS) and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). He is also an elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas.

GOD & RACE IN POLITICS

MONDAY, MARCH 15TH

MARK A NOLL is Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. With teaching and research focused on the history of Christianity in North America, his recent books include God and Race in American Politics: A Short History (Princeton University Press, 2008), The Civil War as a Theological Crisis (North Carolina University Press, 2006), and In the Beginning Was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2016).

Articles on related subjects have appeared recently in The Oxford History of the Bible in America, The Journal of the Civil War Era, American Political Thought, and U.S. Catholic Historian. Noll and his wife Maggie, a librarian, are the parents of three grown children and grandparents of seven; they are members of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Warrenville, IL.

RACIAL SOLIDARITY AND MUTUALITY

FRIDAY, MARCH 5TH

SANDRA VAN OPSTAL is a second-generation Latina and the Executive Director of Chasing Justice. She is a New York Times bestselling author, pastor, and activist reimagining the intersection of faith and justice. Her work centers chasing justice under the mentorship of the global church, for the mobilizing of the next generation of leaders.

Sandra has given leadership in global movements such as Lausanne, The Justice Conference, and Urbana Missions Conference. She has also had a strong domestic presence as an executive pastor at Grace and Peace Church and as an activist on the west-side of Chicago. Sandra serves as a board member for CCDA. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is currently pursuing doctoral work in Urban Leadership and Transformation. Her most recent books include The Next Worship and A Rhythm of Prayer.

Twitter: @sandravanopstal | Instagram: @sandravanopstal | Facebook: sandramariavanopstal | Org Website: chasingjustice.com

THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY: THEN AND NOW

FRIDAY, MARCH 19TH

MARK CHARLES is a dynamic and thought-provoking public speaker, writer, and consultant. The son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man, he teaches with insight into the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and faith in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation.

He is one of the leading authorities on the 15th-century’s Doctrine of Discovery and its influence on US history and its intersection with modern-day society. Mark co-authored, along with Soong-Chan Rah, the new book entitled “Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery ” (IVP, 2019).

Mark ran as an independent candidate for the US Presidency in the 2020 election.

WHAT'S NEXT: A PRACTICAL PATHWAY FORWARD

SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH

Markus Lloyd serves as the Executive Director of Threaded a Biblical racial reconciliation, unity and justice organization. He is known as a community catalyst for Church unity, collaboration and reconciliation.

In his spare time, he is a speaker, writer, singer, actor, and director. Markus can be found in commercials, on stages, and as the national emcee for Southwest Airlines. You can hear his voice in popular commercials, video games and anime cartoons like Dragon-ball Super, Borderlands 2, The Walking Dead, Smite and as one of the hosts of the popular podcast Colored Commentary. Markus has degrees and concentrated studies from TCU, Yale University, and is currently working on a Master's in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.

HALF BREED: BRIDGE-BUILDING FROM WITHIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3RD

LETESHA WHEELER is a passionate influencer, author and speaker whose greatest desire is to motivate others to walk in the fullness of their purpose, overcome fear, and stand strong in their faith despite life’s biggest obstacles.

LeTesha’s life experiences and family heritage have fueled her voice for reconciliation within her local community and the nation. Alongside her husband, James and LeTesha have served in various leadership roles in their local church since they were married in 2003. They have two amazing teenage boys. LeTesha enjoys spending quality time cheering on their sons in their various sports, leads life changing events and serves as the Women’s Director at Radiant Life Church.

UNCRITICAL RACE THEORY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10TH

RASOOL BERRY serves as teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Sociology. He is currently seeking his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary.

He is committed to helping people live out a biblical framework for social justice. He hosts the “Where Ya From?” podcast which uses stories to connect us to people applying their faith for social change. He also was the host of “In Pursuit of Jesus”, a travel documentary series in collaboration with Our Daily Bread.

RACIAL CONFLICT: A BIBLICAL PRIMER TO SOCIAL JUSTICE

MONDAY, MARCH 1ST

ANTWUAN MALONE is a part of the Threaded Leadership team and founder of ELEVATE YA, a ministry organization focused on creating and supporting discipleship environments for young adults. He also serves as Pastor to Union, a community young adult ministry in North Texas.

Antwuan is passionate about fortifying, uniting, and leveraging the local church to bring gospel influence and social change to our communities. Antwuan co-hosts the podcast Colored Commentary and is a thought-provoking speaker, author, and thought leader.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT "PRIVILEGE."

FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH

AMANDA GIORDANO is an associate professor of counseling at the University of Georgia specializing in multiculturalism and addictions counseling. She works to advance the counseling field through rigorous scholarship and has published over 45 articles and book chapters.

Giordano provides diversity trainings to raise awareness regarding systemic privilege and oppression. She regularly teaches courses related to social justice and multiculturalism that help develop cultural humility and sensitivity in their clinical work, research, and advocacy.

RACIAL CONFLICT: A BIBLICAL PRIMER TO SOCIAL JUSTICE;

MONDAY, MARCH 1ST

KEITH HILEMAN is the Pastor of Discipleship at Bay Presbyterian Church on the shore of Lake Erie in Bay Village, OH. He also serves on the leadership team of Threaded.

Keith is passionate about equipping the church in the ministry of reconciliation. He has trained pastors and ministry leaders in East Africa, helped develop a local church partnership for local community development and global ministry collaboration, co-established an interfaith dialogue program called “Friends for Good,” and provides conflict-coaching and mediation services as a Christian Conciliator.

A Masters in Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary launched him into 25 years of pastoral leadership in Dallas, TX.

HALF BREED: BRIDGE-BUILDING FROM WITHIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3RD

DEBORAH LINTZ-HILL M.Ed., MRAS, LPC-S is a licensed professional counselor committed to encouraging productive conversations around race that lead to spiritual growth and reconciliation.

PASTOR'S PANEL: BEEN THERE, DOING THAT

SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH

SAM CHACKO is the Lead Pastor of LOFT City Church in Richardson, TX. A 2nd generation Indian-American, Sam leads a church that has over 30 ethnic backgrounds represented in their church. He is also on staff with Marketplace Ministries. He is married to Ann and has three children.

PASTOR'S PANEL: BEEN THERE, DOING THAT

SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH

OSCAR PEREZ is the Lead Pastor of Vivid Life Church in Plano, TX. Oscar serves as a part of the Threaded Team and is passionate about bring a diverse, multicultural church to fruition.