Shannan Martin is an author, speaker, and popular blogger. Who found her voice in the country, and her story in the city. Shannan graduated from Bethel College with a degree in psychology. Her latest book, The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You, has received overwhelming praise from readers and reviews alike. One best selling author states that “In a world where hope seems dim and solutions feel complicated and partisan, Shannan Martin offers us a starting point that is as radical as it is domestic: widen your circle, hush your mouth, and pay attention”. Shannan, her jail chaplain husband Cory, and their kids live as grateful neighbors in Goshen Indiana.

Jonathan Brooks is no stranger to Bethel. In fact, this past fall he served as our Spiritual Emphasis Week speaker. Having just released his first book, Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods, Pastor J is back to share about how we can fulfill God’s great commission in our own backyards, “our Jerusalems'”. Pastor J serves as Senior Pastor at Canaan Community Church in West Englewood. He’s a mentor, professor, musician, artist and minister. Jonathan continues to merge his academic knowledge, practical tools, spiritual gifts, and ministry training in order to turn his convictions into solutions. His hope is to help change neighborhoods, his own, and ours, for future generations.

Reverend Keith Witherspoon has served as Pastor of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist church for nearly 13 years. Pastor Witherspoon has a dynamic itinerant preaching ministry that extends across the country. He has been described as a prominent biblically sound preacher of his generation and is known for his powerful, practical, and relevant proclamation of God’s word. He is motivated by his love for people, preaching, and ministry and believes that only the proclamation of God’s Word can truly save souls and change the community. Of all the characteristics demonstrated by Pastor Witherspoon none is more outstanding than his ability to explain the truths of God’s word and how it should be applied to our daily lives. Pastor Keith is married to Nichole and they have four beautiful children.