Jonathan Brooks serves as Senior Pastor at Canaan Community Church in West Englewood where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Pastor J has a degree in Architecture, a Masters in Teaching, and a Master of Divinity Degree with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. He has served as a mentor, a musician, an adjunct professor, and the Director for Mission Year in Chicago. Jonathan has a deep desire to invest in the community where he grew up. Through various community partnerships Canaan Community Church provides youth development, holistic help options, college scholarships, art and music training, and continual support to the incarcerated and their families living in Englewood and other Chicago communities. Pastor J is a sought after speaker, writer, and artist. His first book Church Forsaken will be released in the spring.
David Bennett is a Fellow at the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics and has recently completed his postgraduate diploma in theology at the University of Oxford as well as his Masters in Analytical and Exegetical Theology at the University of St. Andrews. He is currently reading for his doctorate in Theology at Oxford University. David is a passionate Christian apologist who speaks and writes on a wide range of topics including sexuality and faith. He is currently working on a book entitled A War of Loves set to release in November.
Lina Abujamra is the founder of Living with Power Ministries. She is a pediatric emergency room doctor by profession and is passionate about empowering people with biblical truth. Lina is a popular Bible teacher, blogger, conference speaker and the author of three books. She hosts weekly podcasts and a daily Morning Minutes devotional and is engaged in providing medical care for Syrian refugees in the Middle East. You can hear Lina on Moody Radio hosting Today’s Single Christian and find her boosting your faith all over social media.
Kevin Cloud is a Pastor, Church Planter and the author of God and Hamilton: Spiritual Themes from the Life of Alexander Hamilton and the Broadway Musical He Inspired. He is a lifelong musician with a bachelors degree in music and a Masters of Divinity degree. He currently serves as Pastor at Midwest Fellowship in Kansas City where he lives with his wife, Allison, and their four sons. When Kevin walked out of the Richard Rogers Theatre, after seeing Hamilton in New York City, he knew that he had experienced something transcendent, something spiritual, something that drew him into the presence of God. Today, we are invited into this journey as we consider God and Hamilton…
Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, President at Bethel College
Kintae Lark was born and raised in South Bend. After graduating from Washington High School he went on to graduate from Bethel College with a degree in business and then obtain a license as well as an instructor’s license in cosmetology. From a young age Kintae realized that he was called to serve others. He became licensed into ministry at age 18 and then ordained into ministry at New Horizons Outreach Ministry. Kintae enjoys time with the love of his life and his wife of nearly 16 years, Tanika along with their beautiful baby girl. From community organizing, youth program development, leadership training and volunteering Kintae has served his community in a number of capacities. Kintae is taking business outward with an educational message of innovation, inspiration and empowerment. He owns the Inspiration Barber Shop, Salon and Inspiration School each designed to bring focused impact and empowerment to the community at large.
Zach Nelson is a design and branding expert from South Bend. Originally a graphic design major at Bethel College, he is now the Creative Director at J2 Marketing. In 2016, Zach launched a company called Tiny Panda Threads. The company is a collaboration with his 9 year old sister Gigi. All of the t-shirts have been designed by Gigi and profits from the company benefit the charity OneSky. Zach enjoys sipping coffee with his wife, playing Zelda, and writing comics.
